1 | DIE INTERNTIONALE ARBEIT DES NABU IM ÜBERBLICK

International Newsletter About the international work of NABU and NABU International Foundation for Nature 2013/2014 2 | IMPRINT

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© 2015, NABU-Headquarters Articel number: 9037 1st publication 01/2015 Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU) Subscription: You may order the International Newsletter at NABU-­Natur- Charitéstraße 3 Shop, Gutenbergstraße 12, 30966 Hemmingen, Germany, phone (+49) 10117 Berlin 511.2 15 71 11, fax (+49) 511.1 23 83 14, [email protected] or at Germany www.NABU.de/shop (also available for download). Only shipping costs Tel. +49 (0)30.28 49 84-0 will be invoiced. Fax +49 (0)30.28 49 84-20 00 [email protected] www.NABU.de/international Images: back: A.Richter; p. 2: H. Müller; p. 4: B. D'Amicis; p. 5: Hoffotogra- fen; p. 6-7: B. D'Amicis; p. 8 f.l.t.r: D'Amicis, W. Beisenherz;p. 9 f.l.t.r: G. Nowald, B. Walter, b.: P. Hahn; p. 10 f.l.t.r: Dreamstime.com/Mikelane45, NABU International Foundation for Nature NABU/W. Schröder; p. 11: J.-O. Heckel; p. 12 f.l.t.r.: NABU/S. Bender-Ka- Charitéstraße 3 phengst, B. D'Amicis, u.: B. D'Amicis; p. 13 f.l.t.r.: NABU/D. Tunger, B. 10117 Berlin D'Amicis; p. 14 f.l.t.r.: D'Amicis, NABU/S. Bender-Kaphengst, NABU/G. Germany Rottmann, b.: B. D'Amicis; p. 15: B. D'Amicis; p. 16 f.l.t.r.: Dreamstime. Tel. +49 (0)30.28 49 84-17 20 com/Pixattitude, Dreamstime.com/Svetlana Foote, NABU/W. Schröder; p. Fax +49 (0)30.28 49 84-37 20 17: NABU/W. Schröder; p.18: NABU/P. Scholl; p. 19: NABU/T. Kirschey; p. 20 [email protected] f.l.t.r.: shutterstock.com/BlueOrange Studio, I. Jansson, I. Jansson; p. 21: www.NABU-international.de H. Schulz; p. 22: B. Walter; p. 23: NABU/W. Schröder; p. 24: NABU/K. Karkow; p. 25 f.l.t.r.: NABU/A. Natus, A. Fabian, b.: Government of Text: Dr Kim Detloff, Annika Natus, Daniel Rieger, Julia Balz, Werner Kyrgyzstan; S. 26 l.t.: NABU Kirgistan, l.b.: NABU/K. Karkow, c.t.: NABU/K. Schröder, Claus Mayr, Bernard Walter, Svane Bender-Kaphengst, Ronja Karkow, r.: NABU/K. Karkow, b.: NABU/K. Karkow; p. 27: S. Saprabaev; p. Krebs, Tom Kirschey, Eva Loy, Eva Ressel, Kai-Michael Thomsen, Günter 28 f.l.t.r.: NABU/Kirgistan, NABU/Kirgistan, NABU/D. Schreiber, A. Richter; p. 29 f.l.t.r.: Depositphotos.com/J.-E. Rozey, NABU/B. Maas, NABU/B. Nowald, Raquel Nerger, Florian Schöne, Tino Sauer, Konstantin Kreiser, Maas; p. 30 f.l.t.r.: W. Weinhardt, B. van Gemerden, b.: NABU/A. Natus; p. Dr Barbara Maas, Jens-Ove Heckel, Heike Finke, Florian Schöne, Bianca 31 f.l.t.r.: shutterstock.com/VogueHouse, Tierfotoagentur.de/Weimann, Schlegel, Sascha Roth, Julia Balz, Christoph Hein, Lars Lachmann RSPB; S. 34: J. Borris, p. 35 f.l.t.r.: NABU/E. Neuling, NABU/F. Derer, NABU/K. Karkow; p. 36 f.l.t.r.: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Editors: Annika Natus, Britta Hennigs, Amy Newsom R. Ohlhoff, b.: C. Chap; p. 37: F. König; p. 38 f.l.t.r.: NABU/K.Detloff, S. Zankl; p. 39: NABU/D. Rieger; p. 40: NABU/ P. Wernicke; p. 41: flickr.de/P. Walde; p. 42: S. Rogalla; p. 43:NABU/H. May; p. 44: NABU/M. Bittar; p. 45: Translation: Lyam Ortmeier NABU/C. Hein; p. 46: NABU/T. Kirschey; p. 47: Dr. A. Peschlow-Bindoka; p. 48-49: NABU/S. Trepet; p. 50: NABU/E. Loy; p. 51 o.: NABU/V. Kovalev, u.: Designed by: Miriam Bittar, Geela Eden, Berlin NABU/S. Trepet; p. 52: istockphotos.com/Timur_t; p. 53 (large): H. Müller, f.l.t.r.: J.-P. Zwaenepoel, H. Müller; p. 54: NABU/S. Trepet, Dreamstime. com/Ukrphoto; p. 55: NABU/T. Kirschey; p. 56:Dreamstime.com/Kurkul; p. Printed by: Oktoberdruck, Berlin, EMAS-certified, printed on 100% 57: K.-M. Thomsen; p. 58 v.l.v.r: Dreamstime.com/Smellme, G. Nowald, b.: post-consumer waster recycled fiber flickr.com/photo_nature; p. 59 f.l.t.r.: NABU/H. Finke, D. Krüßmann a. J. Schrön, p. 60 f.l.t.r.: A. Maecker, S. Dawson; p. 61: NABU/B. Maas, S. Dawson; p. 62 v.l.n.r.: NABU/T. Sauer, N. Busch, flickr.com/L. Gooch; p. 63: NABU; p. 64: NABU/K. Karkow CONTENTS | 3

Contents Read specifically about the international work of NABU International Foundation for Nature. The double arrow in the table of contents will provide you with orientation.

PREFACE 5 CAUCASUS Caucasian bison population continues to grow 49 AFRICA In the wild bison’s kingdom 50 A Biosphere Reserve is gaining momentum 7 New alliances in Armenia 51 Bird count at Lake Tana 8 Eastern Imperial Eagle under protection 52 Crane-friendly land use in Ethiopia 9 Bird conservation in Azerbaijan 53 Grey crowned crane endangered 10 Olympics next door to Heritage Site 54 Future workshop on conservation work in Djibouti 11 Assessment of National Parks 55 News from the Kafa Biosphere Reserve 12 For the “King of the Forest” 15 WORLDWIDE Are African Wildlife Rangers fighting a Losing Battle? 16 Counting storks 57 Elephant action plan 17 Fascination for cranes 58 Waste prevention and environmental education 18 16th CITES Conference 59 “Learning Under Trees” 19 New Zealand’s Maui’s dolphins 60 Warriors turn “lion keepers” 20 Four endemic bird species on Cuba colour-banded 62 115,000 signatures against the bird murder in Egypt 21 Monitoring of Sharpe's Longclaw continues 22 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 63 Conservationist by passion 23 REMOVABLE OVERVIEW MAP INSIDE ASIA Twelve states, one aim 25 Research in the “Heavenly Mountains” 26 The kingdom of snow leopards and brown bears 27 Into the field, researchers! 28 Number of tigers doubled 29 New climate protection project on Sulawesi 30 Long-term success in the “Harapan Rainforest” 31

EUROPE Nature conservation in the European Union 35 Controlling invasive species 36 A future for nature and the environment 37 By-catch – an unsolved problem 38 Europe’s ports need fresh air 39 €1 billion for conservation projects 40 Greening Agricultural Policy 41 Ideas for a better Europe 42 Goodbye, gas guzzlers! 43 Stop the Free Trade Agreement! 44 Cyprus and Malta – still no bird paradise 45 More protection for peatlands 46 Turkey’s largest pine forests under threat 47 4 PREFACE | 5

Dear friends and supporters of our international work, dear NABU activists,

One billion euros for nature conservation projects from the the Mountains”. With financial assistance from the Federal EU – a promising announcement, and a success for NABU. Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, NABU After all, NABU coordinated BirdLife Europe’s Europe-wide also launched a project in January 2013 aimed at protecting lobbying efforts on the reform of LIFE, the only EU direct and conserving the Tian Shan mountain region’s biodiversity. funding ­instrument for environmental projects, between 2012 and 2014. And yet – considerably more funding is needed for NABU International Foundation for Nature is now operating nature conservation projects to be implemented effectively. in its sixth year and is active mainly in NABU’s international This is why throughout Europe, NABU will continue to support focal regions. A specific bequest allowed the Foundation to the interests of nature and the environment – be it funding establish a fund in Kenya and Ethiopia that supports the instruments, agricultural policies or a citizens’ initiative against families of killed rangers. A further fund exists that focuses the free trade agreements TTIP and CETA that are concerned. on the protection of rain forests. NABU International uses the donations collected in the fund to stop the destruction of rain Our international work in the past two years was mainly forests, preserve paradises of biodiversity, and to open up new focused on climate protection through forest conservation. perspectives for the local population. Together with its Indonesian BirdLife partner Burung ­Indonesia, NABU initiated a project in the province of Gorontalo on the I also want to mention the numerous volunteer projects Indonesian island of Sulawesi. NABU’s work there is aimed at conducted by NABU activists in our focal regions, Africa, the preserving the island’s endangered tropical forest areas. The Caucasus and Central Asia. Every year, our five international project is managed by the KfW and funded by the International Federal Working Groups make impressive contributions to Climate Initiative (IKI). international nature and species conservation projects. At this point, I would also like to thank all volunteer and full- Another IKI-funded project is already in its second phase. time colleagues for their committed work. I also thank all ­Following the successful conclusion of our four-year-long supporters and sponsors. Be it for the Sharpe’s Longclaw in climate protection project in the Kafa Biosphere Reserve in Kenya, the protection of migratory birds in Egypt, on Cyprus Ethiopia, the project is now supplemented by a new ­component: or Malta, the snow leopards in Kyrgyzstan or forest and climate the protection of the region’s unique species diversity. For protection projects in Ethiopia – it is only together that we can this aim, 17 NABU volunteers provided us with their support: continue to have an impact on the ways in which we protect They travelled to Kafa, conducted a monitoring, and returned our nature and environment. with exciting results. They even discovered a new species in the region! Enjoy this newsletter, and don’t forget to pass it on!

Our long-established snow leopard project is also making strong progress. Being actively involved in the protection of the big cat in Kyrgyzstan for 17 years now, NABU was able Thomas Tennhardt to bring together representatives of all range countries for the first time in autumn 2013. At the Global Snow Leopard NABU Vice President Conservation Forum in Bishkek, all twelve countries adopted Head of International Department and common conservation measures to benefit the “Ghost of President of NABU International Foundation for Nature 6 | AFRICA

Africa AFRICA | 7

A Biosphere Reserve is gaining momentum News from Lake Tana

Papyrus grows around Lake Tana, and is used by the local population, for example to build the typical local boats.

For two years now, NABU has been working in cooperation with the Michael Succow Foun- dation to establish a biosphere reserve at Lake Tana, Ethiopia’s largest lake. A growing Lake Tana on the Internet population and large infrastructure projects are threatening this unique natural landscape NABU hopes to have Lake Tana that is one of the most significant wintering grounds for birds such as the European crane. Biosphere Reserve established by 2016. Visit us online at In a major step towards achieving the area’s long-term capacity for use. This measure is www.LakeTana-people-nature.com recognition as a UNESCO biosphere reserve, designed to improve crop rotation, increase or the local population and Ethiopian autho- yields, and thus permanently improve the www.LakeTana-biosphere.com. rities together designated the reserve’s farmers’ incomes. In other regions, farmers future conservation and land use zones in are receiving training in the high-quality 137 regions around Lake Tana. The so-called production of soaps, honey and other natural Your contact person “core zones”, which serve as resting and products. Together, a brand for these regional Svane Bender-Kaphengst breeding grounds for rare bird species and products is being created and their marketing Head of Africa Program boast a particularly high species diversity, is being supported. Email: [email protected] will be protected by national legislation for the application submitted to UNESCO. Ecotourism is being developed as well: The local information centre is being restructured Together with the Ethiopian Orthodox and will in the future also serve as a main Church, natural stone walls have been const- hub for visitors interested in the biosphere ructed that now protect five church forests – reserve. Moreover, community-based tourism the area’s only remaining forests – from over- services have been developed and are now grazing through livestock. Corridors have also to be introduced. All this helps to promote a been designated that are to be reforested in green tourism that supports the local popula- order to connect the forest islands. Scientists tion in securing alternative and sustainable Africa have undertaken research to identify which income methods. soil-friendly forms of agricultural cultivation (“conservation agriculture”) might be intro- NABU’s involvement in Ethiopia is made duced at Lake Tana in order to reduce erosion possible by funding from the German Federal into the lake and its pollution by nutrients, Ministry for Economic Cooperation and In particular the large wetlands surrounding Lake Tana are to be and to sustain the soils’ nutrient levels and Development (BMZ). preserved on a long-term scale. 8 | AFRICA

Bird count at Lake Tana Africa working group on field trip to Ethiopia’s largest lake

FOTO in AKTION

Many cultures value the crane as a symbol of luck and health for both humans and livestock. The two African species breed in the wetlands surrounding Lake Tana.

NABU has set up an office in Bahir Dar, on the southern shores of Lake Tana in Ethiopia. Did you know? From here, its Ethiopian staff is currently working to establish a biosphere reserve. In In both their size and diversity, the December 2013, a team of NABU’s Africa Working Group was invited to conduct a bird wetlands surrounding Laka Tana are monitoring in the region. The team primarily mapped eligible “core zones” that are later uniquely significant for North-East to be subject to stricter conservation plans. Africa’s birdlife. Water birds could only find comparable habitats Supported by NABU staff from Bahir Dar, 37 (Balearica pavonina ceciliae), an Eastern subspe- hundreds of kilometres away to the areas were visited during the monitoring and cies, is globally endangered as well. It has south, at the lakes of the East African their bird populations recorded. All in all, 220 been recorded as breeding in many wetlands Rift System and in the large Nile bird species were recorded during the studies, around Lake Tana. swamps in Sudan and South Sudan. among them many rare and endangered species. The areas Shesher and Walala on the Unfortunately, many forests around Lake eastern shores of the lake and the estuary of Tana have not been conserved – the demand Your contact person the Megech River in the north proved to be for construction timber and firewood is too Bernhard Walter especially significant for Eurasian migratory high. The fertile landscapes surrounding the Africa Working Group birds. About 30,000 Common Cranes have lake are intensively used for pastoral or agri- Email: their night roosts in the shallow water zones cultural farming. Nevertheless, there are still [email protected] of the two wetlands, and the area also hosts large and shady trees standing on the fields. migrating ducks such as teals, shovellers and They are visited above all by fruit eaters such pintails in large numbers. Several species of as the Hemprich’s Hornbill or the Bruce’s wading bird including the Little Stint, the Green Pigeon as a food source and breeding Black-tailed Godwit and the Ruff are also ground. Those forest areas that are still intact abundant. are mostly church or monastery forests, and enjoy a special conservation status anchored Lake Tana is especially significant as a bree- in the local population’s spiritual connected- ding ground for endangered bird species. ness to nature. On the Zege peninsula, which The Wattled Crane breeds in the marshes is also renowned for its wild coffee, a larger, surrounding the small town of Chimba on connected forest area still exists that is defi- the lake’s southern shore. This species is nitely worth protecting. Here, the team was considered endangered worldwide, and its able to record breeding of the Black-winged Ethiopian population is estimated at less Lovebird and the Yellow-fronted Parrot – two than 200 animals. The Black Crowned Crane parrots endemic to Ethiopia. AFRICA | 9

Bird count at Lake Tana Crane-friendly land use in Ethiopia Africa working group on field trip to Ethiopia’s largest lake Scientific exchange between Bielefeld and Jimma

FOTO in AKTION

After all the data have been recorded and the cranes Dessalegn Obsi Gemeda and Tariku Mekonnen Gutema participated in the banding scheme for Minerva’s have been colour- and radio-banded, they are owls in the district of Gütersloh. released into the wild.

In 2013, an official partnership was established between the NABU's Africa Working Group, Crane Conservation Germany (Kranichschutz Deutschland) and the Department Your contact person of Natural Resources Management at the University of Jimma in western Ethiopia. That Werner Schröder year, and with financial support from the International Crane Foundation, students Speaker of Africa Working Group recorded the population of Black-Crowned Cranes and Wattled Cranes in selected wetlands Email: around Jimma. [email protected]

The student's assignment gave rise to ques- provided with important data allowing them tions concerning monitoring and fieldwork, to designate protected zones and draft more which is why the NABU Africa Working “crane-friendly” land use plans. Group and the Crane Information Centre invited two academic researchers to conduct In the course of their subsequent stay in East a three-week practical course and participate Westphalia, the guests had expert discus- in an exchange of ideas in June and July 2014. sions with colleagues from the behavioral sciences at the University of Bielefeld and the In a workshop organised by Crane Conserva- Biological Station Gütersloh/Bielefeld, where tion Germany, natural scientists Dessalegn they were able to gain practical experience Obsi Gemeda and Tariku Gutema learned to in wetland and grassland management. An catch, band and radio-tag cranes. All in all, evening event in Bielefeld, organised by the 41 cranes were banded in Mecklenburg-West Welthaus Bielefeld and the Africa Working Pomerania in spring 2014. The acquired Group, saw a lively exchange of views on knowledge will be applied in Ethiopia for nature conservation and land use conflicts the individual banding of cranes as well. In in Ethiopia. To conclude their stay, this way, data can be collected on the Black- the guests from Ethiopia visited Crowned Crane's and the Wattled Crane's the Rieselfelder Münster, a seasonal migrations and on the habitat wetland of European signifi- requirements that their breeding, resting cance for bird migration. and wintering grounds have to fulfil. Both crane species are threatened. With regard to NABU's efforts to establish a biosphere reserve at Lake Tana, our colleagues in the Ethiopian city of Bahir Dar are hoping to be 10 | AFRICA

Grey Crowned Crane endangered Action plan to prevent extinction

The Grey Crowned Crane is common in 15 countries in southern and eastern Africa. With the exception of South Africa, its population is decreasing in its entire distribution area.

The Grey Crowned Crane has long been regarded as the most common crane in Africa's Did you know? grass- and wetlands. Studies have now shown that over the past 45 years, its population The Grey Crowned Crane can be has decreased by approximately 80 per cent. This makes it the world's most rapidly found in Kenya, Uganda and South declining crane species, and has led to its classification as an endangered bird species in Africa. In Burundi, the Africa Working the IUCN's Red List. Group and NABU's local BirdLife partner are planning to conduct a At the invitation of the “African-Eurasian voltage power lines. During a field trip to the nationwide monitoring of the Grey Migratory Waterbird Agreement” (AEWA) Rugezi Wetlands, the workshop's participants Crowned Crane population in 2015. and the Rwandan environment agency, an saw many of these risks causing the crane's Donations for this project are international workshop aimed at developing endangerment with their own eyes. What welcome. an action plan for the conservation of the is more, in Rwanda almost all young cranes Grey Crowned Crane was held in Musanze in are captured and sold to hotels and gardens. northern Rwanda in September 2013. It was Your contact person attended by 31 nature conservationists and The AEWA Secretariat in Bonn is now conden- Werner Schröder crane experts from nine African countries sing the workshop's results into a draft that Speaker of Africa Working Group as well as government representatives and – following further consultations – will be Email: nature conservation enthusiasts. put to the vote during the 6th Meeting of [email protected] the Parties in 2015. With the exception of South Africa, the popu- lation of the Grey Crowned Crane is decrea- The workshop was organised by the African sing in its entire distribution area. In many Crane Conservation Programme (ACCP), a countries, the causes of its endangerment partnership programme between the South are similar. Cranes lose nesting and feeding African “Endangered Wildlife Trust” (EWT) grounds for instance when wetlands are and the U.S.-based “International Crane Foun- destroyed or other reasons such as intensified dation”. Financial support came from the land use cause their habitat's deterioration. Swiss Federal Department of the Environ- Often, the birds are poisoned by pesticides ment, the Dohmen Foundation, NABU Rhine- or rodenticides. Progressive electrification is land-Palatinate, the NABU Africa Working increasing the number of collisions with high Group and Cologne Zoo. AFRICA | 11

Future workshop on conservation work in Djibouti

Discussions during the workshop were committed With its many different biotopes, Djibouti holds a key position along the migration route of Palearctic and focused on the future work of Djiboutian migratory birds. BirdLife partner Association Djibouti Nature.

In May 2014, NABU, BirdLife International and Zoo Landau in der Pfalz supported a workshop in Djibouti. The workshop was aimed at developing the core competencies DVD-Tip of Association Djibouti Nature (ADN), the local nature conservation organisation. The Readers interested in the project in participants also formulated a strategy for the future and drafted plans to expand the Djibouti can purchase a professional association's organisational structure. film-DVD for 9.50 euros plus postage via Zoo Landau in der Pfalz. ADN is the official Djiboutian partner of Bird- partner”, BirdLife Regional Director Dr Julius Life International and was founded in 1999. Arinaitwe explains. The organisation focuses on those conserva- Your contact person tion and environmental education activities “After 15 years of cooperation with ADN, this Dr Jens-Ove Heckel in Djibouti that are strongly promoted by workshop was an important step towards Member of the Africa Working NABU's Africa Working Group. sustaining the association's independent Group future development as well as its environ- Email: Jens-Ove.Heckel@ ADN is especially committed to protecting mental education and practical conserva- landau.de the endemic, but critically endangered tion work for endangered species,” notes Dr Djibouti francolin (Francolinus ochropectus) Jens-Ove Heckel, long-time active member of and its extremely endangered habitat, the NABU's Africa Working Group and Director “Forêt du Day”. This unique forest is also of the Zoo Landau. an important roosting place for Palearctic migratory birds. “Located along one of the major migration routes of the Rift Valley/Red Sea flyway, “ADN has been an associated member of the in particular the Strait of Bab-el-Mandab, BirdLife network for some years now. The Djibouti is one of the important countries BirdLife Africa Partnership Secretariat in for BirdLife's migratory bird project,” adds Nairobi is working intensively to promote Osama Al Nouri, regional coordinator of the and increase the capacity of this important “Migratory Soaring Birds Project”. 12 | AFRICA

The mountain cloud forests in Kafa are a characteristic of the region, because this is where the wild Coffea arabicagrows.

News from the Kafa Biosphere Reserve Conserving the unique wild coffee forests

Ethiopia is a globally significant centre of origin and one of world’s most biodiverse NABU Coffee countries. The last remaining Ethiopian highland forests are considered to be particularly You can purchase NABU’s wild coffee valuable ecosystems. The Kafa Biosphere Reserve is a 760,000 hectare large area located in via Original Food at www.shop. the southwest of Ethiopia. Here, NABU has been protecting the mountain cloud forests and originalfood.de preserving and marketing the region’s wild coffee together with Original Food since 2006.

Positive assessment after four years of in order to avoid greenhouse gas emissions Your contact person forest and climate protection and secure the local population’s livelihood Svane Bender-Kaphengst NABU launched its project entitled “Climate on a long-term basis. Funded with a total of Head of Africa Program Protection and Preservation of Primary Forests about 3.2 million euros, the project was able Email: [email protected] – A Management Model using the Wild Coffee to draw a positive assessment of its work Forests in Ethiopia as an Example” in 2009, with government representatives, partners as part of the International Climate Initiative and the local population when terminating (IKI) of the German Federal Ministry for the in January 2014. Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB). The projects aims Together with the local government and the were the preservation and sustainable use local population’s determined commitment, of the remaining afromontane cloud forests all the goals that had been set concerning

Kafa Biosphere Reserve is part of the “Eastern Afromontane Biodiversity Hotspot” (CI) and a “Key Biodiversity Area” (CEPF). Because of its importance for biodiversity and as a catchment area, the Ethiopian Government has placed it under national protection as a “Regional ­Forest Priority Area” (RFPA). It is particularly noteworthy for being the origin and centre of ­arabica coffee’s genetic diversity, and therefore a globally significant in situ genomic library. In 2010, the area was designated a UNESCO biosphere reserve due to the efforts of NABU and partners in the context of a German public-private partnership project. AFRICA | 13

The inhabitants of the Kafa Biosphere Reserve are dependent on their forests and use the resources they provide in various ways.

reforestation and the introduction of sustain- timber, which again has positive effects on able forest management were achieved. the forests. Rangers continuously accompa- Women in particular took an active part nied the project and monitored the forests’ in the collection of wild tree seeds and the condition using modern methods. They were

The project's success in figures

Reforested natural forest area 734 hectares

Established agroforestry area 290 hectares

Area established as community plantations for timber 1.759 hectares

Unemployed inhabitants trained as stove makers 50

Natural forest area handed over to sustainable community management 11.577 hectares

Rangers trained for the Kafa Biosphere Reserve 30

Young people trained as environmental ambassadors 146

People reached through a communication campaign 400.000 cultivation of saplings. The energy-saving also in constant contact with the local popu- stoves, which have been adapted to local lation, NABU’s volunteer environmental cooking habits, also inspired widespread ambassadors and the project’s ecotourism enthusiasm. They simplify cooking in general, initiatives. The project also funded smaller reduce burns and lessen smoke pollution projects aimed at developing the tourism in huts. At the same time their production sector. Hiking trails, observation towers and provides training positions and jobs, and the picnic areas were constructed, young people stoves themselves reduce the demand for were trained as wildlife guides, and both a 14 | AFRICA

The trees raised in the nurseries are later The former German ambassador in Ethiopia Dr. Elsa Nickel, head of the nature conservation transplanted to timber plantations. Lieselore Cyrus section at the BMUB

lodge and a historical open air museum were Against this background, the programmes Come to Kafa supported as well. aimed at reforestation, sustainable forest use Further information on and tips for and the distribution of energy-saving stoves travelling the Kafa Biosphere Reserve The project has received several awards as a are being extended, while at the same time are available on the Internet at best-practice model. It is frequently visited new activities focusing on the protection of www.kafa-biosphere.com and has received broad public attention. The species diversity, the strengthening of partici- former German ambassador in Ethiopia, pative community management and regional Lieselore Cyrus, for instance, travelled to the development are being added. Development NABU project region together with repre- programmes for the crafts, regional products sentatives of the Ethiopian press and the and ecotourism are intended to prove the GIZ. The project’s successful conclusion was added value of the region’s threatened species celebrated both in Kafa and in Berlin together diversity. Education programmes aimed at with the German Federal Ministry for the children and young people and integrating Environment, the Ethiopian government, spiritual leaders and schools are designed to partners and numerous guests end of 2013. preserve and cultivate a traditional under- standing of nature in order to win young NABU launches new climate and bio­diver- people for nature conservation activities. sity conservation project in Kafa The end of the project however also signalled An assessment of the region’s species a new beginning: In February 2014, NABU, diversity and a threat analysis, which were supported by the IKI, launched a new three- conducted by volunteer experts from Ethi- year project with a volume of approximately opia and Germany at the end of 2014, are 2.4 million euros. It will not only build on the expected to provide essential data for a moni- success of the preceding project components, toring concept. In addition, an exchange but also complement them by adding a focus between scientists from both countries will on biodiversity, since the habitats and species be promoted. The project will support the abundance of the Kafa Biosphere Reserve cont- implementation of Ethiopia’s “Climate-Resi- inue to be threatened by overexploitation, dest- lient Green Economy Strategy”, tie climate ruction and climate change. For this reason, and biodiversity conservation to regional NABU now also wants to commit itself to the development, and help the local popula- protection of the threatened species diversity tion to independently ensure the long-term of the afromontane cloud forests and wetlands. conservation of nature and natural resources. AFRICA | 15

For the “King of the Forest” NABU International establishes a fund to protect lions

To date, the African lion – an endangered species listed on the IUCN’s Red List – has only been documented outside of rainforests, mostly in savannas.

The first photographic evidence of a lioness living in the cloud forest of Ethiopia’s Kafa Region caused a sensation in the scientific community in early 2012. The local population Save the king had however long been aware of the forest lions: Every year between January and May According to expert estimates, there these big cats kill more than 850 farm animals in the Kafa Biosphere Reserve alone, where are only 1,000 to 1,500 lions living in NABU has been implementing a forest and climate protection project since 2009. Ethiopia. With a donation to NABU International's lion fund, you can For the farmers, livestock is an important than understandable. For this reason, NABU help to protect the endangered means of livelihood. But towards the end International supported by NABU estab- animals. Further information: of the dry season, even African lions find it lished a fund to protect the lions. It has been www.NABU-International.de/ increasingly difficult to find natural prey. provided with an initial 10,000 euros. The loewenfonds Then in particular, the herds of livestock fund provides financial rewards for well docu- are welcome sustenance for the big cats. mented sightings and compensates farmers In other parts of Africa, lions that attack in the Kafa Biosphere Reserve in case their Your contact person livestock are tracked and killed by the popu- livestock is injured or killed by a lion. In this Svane Bender-Kaphengst lation. In Kafa, however, the majority of the way, the project fosters community-based Head of Africa Program local population worships and protects the monitoring, provides financial assistance and Email: [email protected] “King of the Forest”. When the Ethiopian promotes a bond between humans and lions. Government sent out a team of hunters to Kafa in 2011 to kill a number of suspiciously Following the astounding photo documenta- behaving lions, spiritual leaders in particular tion of lions in Kafa's rainforest and mountain turned against the decision and refused to cloud forest area, NABU has now teamed up give their consent. Local inhabitants actively with researchers of WILDCRU to observe protected “their lions” – and the animals these animals. The team of experts from remained alive. To date, the African lion – an the University of Oxford assumes that they endangered species listed on the IUCN's Red form a local population that migrates within List – had only been documented outside of the region according to prey availability. To rainforests, mostly in savannas. learn more about the animals' behaviour, NABU rangers are now collecting faeces and Nevertheless, the problem in Kafa remains: hair samples in the forests and making them Lions attack the local farmers' livestock. available to the researchers for laboratory That individual farmers bear resentment analyses in Europe and Africa. against the lions from time to time, is more 16 | AFRICA

Are African Wildlife Rangers fighting a Losing Battle? Helping the families of nature conservation’s heroes

In South Africa alone, more than 1004 rhinos were poached in 2013 – more than ever before. Werner Schröder and KWS commemorate killed rangers on Heroes’ Day in Kenya.

Poachers, ivory smugglers, middlemen and masterminds … Poaching is a lucrative busi- Ranger Fund ness, and its networks span the highest circles in business and government. For many Learn more about how to support African countries, this issue has become a matter of national security, and they urgently wildlife rangers and their families in need international support – it is up to us as well. Africa online at www.NABU-Internati- onal.de/rangerfonds “Smugglers aren’t poor rural inhabitants provided by NABU International, the children forced to earn a living. They’re ruthless profi- of killed rangers are able to attend secondary teers,” NABU Vice President and President of school or university. In the coming years, Your contact person NABU International Foundation for Nature, NABU intends to expand the project to also Dr Barbara Maas Thomas Tennhardt, reported at the ITB (Inter- provide Kenyan rangers with better equip- Head of International Species nationale Tourismus-Börse), an international ment and training. Conservation tourism fair in Berlin. The rangers, mostly underpaid and poorly trained, are the last Email: [email protected] In the future, NABU, KWS and the David bastion against the ruthless killing of wild Sheldrick Wildlife Trust will be supported animals. What is more, they are themselves by a dog unit in their fight against poa- increasingly becoming the target of criminals. ching. The dogs will trace ammunition, At the ITB, NABU and representatives of ivory, rhino horn or injured animals, pick Kenya’s state wildlife conservation authority up scents and check vehicles, buildings Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) reported on and hideouts. the difficult situation faced by the families of killed or injured rangers. These families not only lose a beloved relative, but often For the Ranger Fund to continue its successful also their main income earner. growth, NABU is asking nature lovers all over the world for support. In May 2014, To support such families, NABU Internati- Werner Schröder presented the initiative to onal Foundation for Nature has established Germany’s ambassador to Nairobi, Andreas its Ranger Fund. For families whose main Peschke, who expressly welcomed it and income earners have been killed in the fight offered the German embassy’s support for against poaching, the small pension provided NABU’s anti-poaching projects in Kenya. by the KWS is not enough to pay for their children’s school fees. Thanks to the funding AFRICA | 17

Elephant action plan In the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest, water is becoming scarce

During the first species conservation-planning workshop for elephants, participants discussed possible solutions: Water for the “grey giants” inhabiting the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest is becoming scarce.

From 5th to 7th February 2013, NABU’s partner organisation Nature Kenya and Kenya’s state wildlife conservation authority Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) organised the first Did you know? species conservation plan for elephants in Kenya’s Arabuko-Sokoke Forest. They were Water scarcity is not the only cause financially supported by NABU. Around 200 elephants live in the forest area on Kenya’s threatening the survival of the north coast. The fully enclosed area, about 450 square kilometres large, is surrounded by elephants in the Arabuko-Sokoke agriculturally used land. Forest. Poaching, too, has increased in the region: By October 2014, at It lacks a perennial waterhole, and the area's Collectively, the elephant activists developed least six elephants in the Arabuko increasing dryness causes substantial prob- an action plan and presented it to the public Forest had fallen victim to poachers. lems for both elephants and humans. Initi- in Kilifi in December 2013. Representatives of In 2015, NABU will support the ated by NABU, Nature Kenya and the KWS the local government from Malindi pointed conservationists in stopping this brought together local communities and out that local communities were responsible horrible trend. national as well as non-governmental stake- for forest protection. The local population holders involved in elephant protection in underlined that it wants to actively support order to identify solutions that benefit the possible nature conservation measures. Your contact person local population, the forest and the elephants. Werner Schröder The exact number of elephants is currently Speaker of Africa Working Group Experts and community members made clear being determined with the help of a popu- Email: that large amounts of data on the elephants lation study. The environmental education [email protected] in Arabuko Sokoke are already available, and programme integrating local communities have now been complied for the first time. has been launched. On top of this, properties The conservationists of Nature Kenya and are being recorded and negotiations being “A Rocha Kenya” have been recording the led in order to establish a corridor to the elephants’ impact on the forest’s vegetation Tsavo East National Park for the elephants. since 2012. Wildlife experts have warned that Conservationists are putting a lot of effort with 200 elephants in the enclosed forest, into anti-poaching campaigns. Visiting genetic exchange has become impossible. schools and towns, they inform the local Discussions therefore focused on the possi- population about the bloodstained business bility of establishing wildlife corridors for and its negative impacts on the elephant the elephants in Kilifi County in order to population and tourism. ensure population exchange and access to the Sabaki River. 18 | AFRICA

Waste prevention and environmental education Cooperation project in Ghana

Ghana’s beaches resemble dumps – and every day, the ocean washes up new waste.

Coconut palms sway in the wind. Sea spray drifts across the wide beach. Colourful fishing Did you know? boats are lying in the sun. There is waste as far as the eye can see. Many of Ghana’s coasts, The initiative “Fishing for Litter” is beaches and rivers are in a similar state. part of the NABU project “Seas without Plastic”, which also NABU and two Ghanaian organisations, Ghana In joint experts and communities workshops, coordinates activities such as beach Wildlife Society (GWS, BirdLife Ghana) and littering in two Ghanaian pilot areas was monitoring, environmental Friends of the Nation (FoN), have joined forces analysed. Discussions then focused on iden- education programmes and in order to raise Ghana’s public awareness tifying in how far the positive experiences cooperation with water sports of waste prevention and marine pollution. that NABU gathered during its “Fishing for associations. For the project “Fishing Together, they developed and implemented Litter” project can help tackle issues in Ghana. for Litter”, fishermen collect and then a partnership project supported by Deutsche Like their German counterparts, Ghanaian properly dispose of the waste they Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammen- fishermen were willing to participate in catch at sea. All waste is sorted and arbeit (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal campaigns to collect the waste they had caught analysed in order to learn more Ministry for Development in the framework at sea, and gave the issue highest priority. about its composition and the ways of the initiative “Commitment for Africa”. in which it has reached the sea. To improve the local partner organisations’ Today, the initiative includes nine The project identified the main factors public relations work and support them in ports and about 70 fishermen on the threatening wetlands in the coastal regions communicating these urgent issues more effec- German North Sea and the Baltic of Sakumo, the Songor Biosphere Reserve tively to the public, NABU conducted exchange Sea. By July 2014, about five tons of and the Densu and Keta deltas (the latter and training sessions in Ghana. Friends of the waste had been fished. both Ramsar sites), and together with local Nation then subsequently trained volunteer authorities developed action plans for the conservationists, enabling them to immedi- protection of wetlands. Among the main ately apply their newly gained insights into Your contact person threats to wetlands are littering and the environmental communication and lobbying. Svane Bender-Kaphengst lack of waste disposal systems, the level of Head of Africa Program nutrient intake, scrub encroachment, human The partnership project was implemented Email: [email protected] settlement and general overexploitation by over a period of only six months and was fisheries, agricultural use or salt production. conceived as a kick-off and pilot project. With Climate change, too, has become tangible, so little time, it was only able to scratch the and is driving up temperatures, increasing surface of these urgent environmental prob- the frequency of droughts and depriving the lems. All partners concluded on the urgent wetlands of water. need for their joint project to be continued. AFRICA | 19

“Learning Under Trees” Young people in Burundi receive education in nature conservation and climate protection

One component of the project was the recording of species diversity in the Rusizi National Park. Pupils collect waste on a section of the shoreline of Lake Tanganyika in Burundi.

Together with its Burundian partner organisation “Action Ceinture Verte pour ­l'Environment” (ACVE) and NABU's Baden-Wuerttemberg Branch, NABU International Foundation for Your contact person Nature carried out an environmental education programme in Burundi. Tom Kirschey Officer for International Project The development project consisted of four basis, which is why their knowledge is quickly Development, Climate Conservation modules. First, pupils and young people outdated and they are unable to teach their and Biodiversity aged between 10 and 25 years were trained pupils about current developments such as Email: [email protected] for over four months to become “environ- climate change. At several events, primary mental ambassadors” for their country. and secondary school teachers from all over The interactive lessons in environmental the country were introduced to new methods education, called “School under the tree” and materials, so they can now begin to (“École sous l'arbre”), were held in the City include environmental issues in their classes. Park of Bujumbura, Burundi's capital, and were aimed at educating dedicated young The programme's third module was a work- people in nature conservation and climate shop, held together with NABU representa- protection. The young people are taught on tives in Burundi in autumn 2013. It served to topics such as climate change adaptation, evaluate the programme as well as the teacher resource consumption and waste prevention. trainings, and identified possible cooperation These topics were also addressed practically: projects for the coming years. The last module Pupils cleaned up the garbage on one of Lake of the programme was focused on analysing Tanganyika's beach sections, for instance, or biodiversity in the Rusizi National Park. set up a compost system in the City Garden. The environmental education project was The second module addressed teachers, who financed by the federal state of Baden-­ were provided with new teaching methods Wuerttemberg, whose partner country is and materials. NABU's and ACVE's aim was Burundi. The Baden-Wuerttemberg ­Foundation to reach multipliers able to contribute to for Development Cooperation (SEZ) provided rethinking environmental conservation on the project with conceptual advice and accom- a long-term basis. So far, teachers in Burundi panied it from its most initial stages onwards still lack illustrative material or knowledge through to its final report. The project was about innovative teaching methods. They also made possible through the commitment of do not receive additional training on a regular NABU's Baden-­Wuerttemberg Branch. 20 | AFRICA

Warriors turn “lion keepers” Satellite collars to save the king of animals

Lions are hunted in many places. Their species is increasingly endangered. At the Ngorongoro Crater in Kenya, information campaigns and satellite collars have proven to be effective conservation measures.

Lions are considered a symbol of Africa. What is less known, though, is that the “King Your contact person of Animals” is on the verge of becoming extinct: Merciless hunting as well as the loss of Dr Barbara Maas habitat and prey are depriving the majestic big cats of their natural basis of existence. In the Head of International Species Serengeti, a world-famous lion stronghold, the animals are also exposed to dangers. Here, Conservation NABU International Foundation for Nature is actively committed to protecting the lion. Email: [email protected] The population in the Ngorongoro Conser- of NABU International’s project therefore vation Area in the south of the Serengeti consists of integrating the Massai commu- has increased tenfold since 1959. Today nities in the lion conservation measures. densely populated by the Massai and their livestock, the areas form a barrier for those The success of this cooperation became visible lions wanting to access the crater from the again recently: Being displaced after his pride Serengeti National Park. As a consequence, had been taken over by other males, one of the lions inhabiting the crater have been our radio-collared lions, “Young Tom”, was geographically and genetically isolated, which forced to enter the densely inhabited area on has caused the population to collapse. NABU the rim of the Ngorongoro Crater. In order International’s conservation project therefore to prevent conflicts, our Maasai colleagues aims to establish a safe wildlife corridor for informed neighbouring herdsmen in advance lions between the Ngorongoro Crater and the about the potential danger to their livestock Serengeti National Park. For this, it is very – none of the Massai’s animals were injured important to be familiar with the lions’ routes or killed, and the lion was able to continue his and their behaviour. Thus, altogether six lions journey safely. Another radio-collared lion, are now to be equipped with satellite collars. named “Orbili Nabos”, was less lucky. After the team of researchers had removed the The lion population in the crater today transmitter as planned in September 2013, consists of only 46 individuals. It has shrunk we received terrible news: Massai warriors to less than half of its original size. Again and had killed a lion with spears, and its descrip- again, warriors of the local Massai villages tion fitted Orbili. Such setbacks underline pursue and kill lions – as a ritual to prove the urgency of our work to train more local their bravery with spears, and in revenge for Massai as active “lion keepers”. killed livestock. An important component AFRICA | 21 115,000 signatures against the bird murder in Egypt

Hardly a chance of getting through: The few birds The world’s largest bird trap has an overall length of approximately 700 kilometres and reaches from the that escape the nets are killed with guns. Libyan border almost to Gaza.

Every autumn, around 140 million migratory birds end up in the world’s largest bird trap located along Egypt’s Mediterranean coast. Those affected most are long-distance Sad result migrants flying to Africa via the eastern Mediterranean. Many of them end up being sold According to NABU’s projections, as a delicacy on Egypt’s markets. roughly every seventeenth migratory bird from Europe ends up dying in By December 2013, 115,000 people had signed Prior to the delivery of the petition, NABU’s the nets of Egyptian bird trappers, NABU’s petition against the murder of migra- campaign had already achieved substantial which extend 700 kilometres along tory birds in Egypt. This makes it one of the results: The Federal Ministry for the Environ- the nation’s coastline. largest signature campaigns in the history ment made funds available for a conference of NABU. Delivering the signatures to the to end bird trapping. Among the participants Egyptian ambassador on 4th December 2013 in November 2013 were representatives of the Your contact person in Berlin, NABU’s President Olaf Tschimpke Egyptian and Libyan environment ministries, Lars Lachmann called on the Egyptian government to adhere BirdLife NGOs from Egypt and Libya, NABU, Officer for Bird Conservation and to international nature conservation conven- BirdLife International, the German Federal Ornithology tions and take decisive action against bird Ministry for the Environment and the inter- Email: [email protected] trapping. national nature conservation agreement. It lead to a huge success: a joint action plan to “Our campaign has drawn attention to the fight the illegal trapping of migratory birds alarming situation of migratory birds in in Egypt. Egypt and created political pressure. The 115,000 signatures are both a confirmation NABU bird expert Lars Lachmann is very and a motivation for us to continue our content with the campaign’s results so far: “A campaign to end the bird murder in Egypt. We NABU-funded team is now in Egypt and will expect the Egyptian government to introduce coordinate the action plan’s implementation.” the measures adopted in the action plan as quickly as possible in order to meet its inter- national obligations on bird conservation,” Tschimpke said. 22 | AFRICA

Monitoring of Sharpe's Longclaw continues Workshop helps endemic Kenyan species

Thick tussock grass is the Sharpe’s Longclaw’s preferred habitat. But structural changes and intensified agricultural cultivation are threatening this bird species that is endemic to Kenya.

In March 2014, with support from the National Museum of Kenya in Nairobi, a team of Did you know? NABU's Africa Working Group and Kenyan conservationists visited the Kinangop Plateau, BirdLife International assessed the the Aberdare National Park, the area around Timau north of Mount Kenya, and parts of Sharpe's Longclaw as endangered in the Mount Kenya National Park. One important aim was to examine whether the Sharpe's 2000. Its population was estimated Longclaw still occurs in the Aberdare and Mount Kenya National Parks, since the species at between 6,000 and 15,000 birds, had not been confirmed there in recent years. their number decreasing. More recent censuses suggest that its The bright yellow Sharpe's Longclaw is the Sharpe's Longclaw still inhabits both current population is significantly endemic to Kenya. Ecologically, the species Aberdare National Park and Mount Kenya smaller. is adapted to short grassland habitats at National Park. However, the size of these altitudes between 1,800 and 3,500 metres. sub-populations still cannot be estimated. It Thick tussock grass is particularly important, also remains unclear whether the birds use Your contact person as it provides cover and nesting sites. Since the area to breed or only visit it temporarily. Werner Schröder this specialised habitat is rare even in Kenya, Speaker of Africa Working Group the species' distribution is limited to the A final workshop, initiated by NABU, was then Email: plateaus located east and west of the East held at the National Museum in Nairobi on [email protected] African Rift System. Important breeding 7th March 2014. It marked the first time that areas are located in the altitudinal zones of almost all Kenyans and Europeans conducting Mount Elgon, Mount Kenya, the Aberdares research on the Sharpe's Longclaw or involved and the Mau Escarpment. in its conservation were able to convene. It became clear that the situation of species The team was able to catch a small number adapted to Kenya's grasslands closely paral- of birds, take blood samples and conduct lels the situation faced by meadow birds in DNA analyses in order to draw conclusions Germany. The participants agreed to arrange a on the species' population size and its follow-up workshop on the Sharpe's Longclaw possible isolation. The current censuses in 2015 in order to draft targeted conserva- highlight that its population is further tion measures. The necessary funding will decreasing. Still, it is encouraging to be provided by NABU. know that after more than 70 years, AFRICA | 23

Conservationist with passion Environmental education project teaches Kenyans about their native bird world

In primary schools, women's groups and at village meetings, George Ndung’u Muigai teaches the local population about the birds living around Lake Ol’ Bollosat.

George Ndung’ u Muigai has launched an environmental education project in Kenya entitled “Creating Community Awareness on Biodiversity and the Socio-economic Value of Lake Ol’ Your contact person Bolossat – A Threatened Wetland in Kenya”. Located in Central Province, Lake Ol’ Bolossat Werner Schröder is an “Important Bird Area” and one of the region’s threatened ecosystems. Speaker of Africa Working Group Email: George was raised near Lake Ol’ Bollosat and Ol’Bollosat. The contents of the 14-month [email protected] witnessed the negative changes in nature project were developed together with Nature caused by intensified and shifting land use Kenya, BirdLife International and the Africa around the lake. He assisted ornithological Working Group. It is funded mainly by NABU, field research and participated in banding but also by private donations from England campaigns, and in 2010 accompanied and Italy. Nature Kenya provides local profes- members of NABU’s Africa Working Group sional support. NABU also supplied the project on their search for the Sharpe’s Longclaw. with equipment such as binoculars, field guides and a laptop. George is proud to present his two-volume publication in his native language Kikuju George’s commitment helps endangered entitled “Nyoni na Andu” – Birds and People grassland bird species such as the Sharpe’s –, which he wrote in order to inform fellow Longclaw, the Rosy-throated Longclaw, and community members around the lake about the Aberdare Cisticola, and creates awareness its marvelous birdlife. It was followed by a that is essential for a more sustainable inter- poster entitled “Itemi ria Nyoni” on the role action with biodiversity. George also works of birds. Both the booklets and the poster he as a nature guide for tourists. His project is was able to publish and distribute thanks to already producing successful results: Due to the financial support of the African Bird Club. his initiative, no grassland was burnt between January and March 2014. Usually, each year In early 2014, George established an environ- during the dry season, when the grass has mental education project that takes him to grown high, large parts of the grassland are primary schools, women’s groups, farmers, lit – with devastating effects on grassland and village meetings in order to explain bird species. the ecological interdependencies of Lake 24 | ASIA

Asia ASIA | 25

Twelve states, one aim Worldwide forum for the conservation of the snow leopard

In almost all of their twelve range countries, snow leopards are hunted by poachers.

Experts estimate that worldwide only 3,500 snow leopards still live in freedom. To more effectively protect the species, NABU initiated the first “Global Snow Leopard Conservation Global forum online Forum”, which was held in October 2013 at the invitation of the Government of the Kyrgyz Learn more about the global snow Republic and with the support of the Global Tiger Initiative of the World Bank. leopard forum and the conservation measures that have been imple- “NABU has been actively engaged in protec- At the “Global Snow Leopard Conservation mented since at www.akilbirs.com ting the snow leopard in Kyrgyzstan since Forum”, which was held in Bishkek, the 1998. It quickly became clear to us that there Kyrgyz capital, representatives of all twelve has to be a transboundary conservation plan countries adopted the “Bishkek Declaration” Your contact person – not least in order to bust the poaching on the conservation of the snow leopard Boris Tichomirow networks that are also active across nati- and the „Global Ecosystem Snow Leopard Head of Central Asia Program onal borders,” says NABU President Olaf Recovery Program“. One essential objective Email: Tschimpke. “We therefore suggested holding is the so-called “20 by 2020” commitment: [email protected] a global forum to be attended by represen- The range countries have pledged to iden- tatives of all twelve range countries.” NABU tify and conserve 20 habitats that contain submitted this proposal to the former Kyrgyz at least 100 breeding age snow leopards by President Rosa Otunbajeva, who immediately 2020. This will be monitored by the forum’s announced her support. Working Secretariat, which will have its seat in Bishkek until a permanent Programme Secretariat is established in one of the snow leopard range countries. Asia

Like his predecessor Rosa Otunbajewa, Kyrgyz president Almasbek Atambajew has proven to be a committed supporter of the snow leopard forum. 26 | ASIA

Research in the “Heavenly Mountains” Camera traps help to protect snow leopards

NABU’s wolf expert Markus Bathen supported the Kyrgyz colleagues in installing the camera traps, because NABU’s wolf project has been employing camera traps for some years now.

In summer 2013, thanks to the broad support of its members, NABU was able to purchase Further information several camera traps and install them in the Tian Shan Mountains. The cameras help to More information on the expedition is identify the tracks of snow leopards and in this way contribute to improving their conser- available at www.nabu.de/ vation. NABU has initiated the introduction of a joint monitoring system in Kyrgyzstan. kirgistan-reisetagebuch So far, the project has already been able conservation. In the context of the global to evaluate photos of seven different snow snow leopard forum, NABU has therefore Your contact person leopards – a very high rate, especially initiated a pilot project that can serve as Boris Tichomirow since NABU set up its camera traps not in model for other countries, too: In cooperation Head of Central Asia Program protected areas where snow leopards have with scientists, the Kyrgyz Government and Email: been observed in the past, but in particu- all international snow leopard conservation [email protected] larly remote mountainous areas where snow organisations active in the region, NABU is leopards have not been sighted over the past developing a joint monitoring system. Its two decades. This proves that our experts’ results will enable snow leopard conserva- strategy has been successful, and that there tion organisations – among them NABU, the is reason to hope that the number of snow Snow Leopard Trust (SLT), WWF and Fauna leopards in Kyrgyzstan is possibly higher & Flora International (FFI) – as well as the than has been assumed so far – all popula- Kyrgyz Government, which has also been tion figures are based merely on estimates. integrated into the project, to implement A scientifically based monitoring system to concerted conservation measures. The United observe the population of snow leopards and Nations Development Programme (UNDP) other wild animals did not exist in Kyrgyzstan has already announced funding through the in the past. Global Environment Facility (GEF). Together, the snow leopard conservation organisations Both accurate information on the size of will contribute 80 camera traps and thus an the remaining snow leopard population amount of around 30,000 euros. as well as precise data on its habitat are fundamental prerequisites for the species’

A joint monitoring system will hopefully provide up-to-date information on both the size of the snow leopard’s population in Kyrgyzstan as well as the big cat’s migration routes. ASIA | 27

The kingdom of snow leopards and brown bears Conserving the environment – for people and nature Project staff recording the Tian Shan’s flora and fauna.

Rare animal species such as snow leopards, Tian Shan brown bears and wild sheep are at home in the mountains of North Tian Shan, in the border region between Kazakhstan Our tip and Kyrgyzstan. The area's untouched nature fascinates and attracts both local and inter- Perhaps you would like to explore national tourists. But this paradise is increasingly threatened by the region's expanding the project region? More information tourism sector and population and economic growth as well as poaching and uncontrolled on the conservation areas Alma- pasture farming. tinsky Zapovednik, the Ile-Alatau and Kolsai National Parks as well as In the region's existing conservation areas, and improve management plans and intro- ecotourism in Kazakhstan is both flora and fauna are so far not yet fully duce a common biodiversity monitoring available at www.eco-tourism.kz/ recorded and protected. Financed by the system. eirc_eng.html. Travellers interested Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation in visiting the Chong-Kemin National and Development (BMZ), NABU therefore Much emphasis is put on involving the local Park can contact the project village launched a project in January 2013 aimed population. Together, pasture farming is via the Rural Development Fund: at protecting and conserving the mountain improved. The development of sustainable, www.rdf.in.kg/eng/home region's biodiversity. Its implementation is community-based tourism allows the local managed by NABU's team in Kyrgyzstan and population to benefit from the project and its project partners Rural Development Fund have a voice in how their region is conserved Your contact person (RDF), AK Terek, Avalon and the Kazakh Bird- and developed sustainably. Ronja Krebs Life Partner, the Association for the Conser- Project Coordinator Tian Shan vation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan (ACBK). Participatory activities including the produc- Email: [email protected] tion of a film and radio broadcasts to promote The project staff closely cooperate with four exchange between all stakeholders and raise existing conservation areas: Together with awareness of the value of biodiversity. experts, their tasks are to train staff, evaluate 28 | ASIA

Into the field, researchers! Volunteers support snow leopard protection

NABU and Biosphere Expeditions make it possible for wildlife enthusiasts to participate in genuine The shy snow leopard lives in the Tian Shan's rough hands-on wildlife volunteer research expeditions into the northern Tian Shan mountains. mountain world. Today, only about 250 of these rare animals survive in Kyrgyzstan.

Snow-covered mountain peaks, wild and rare animals, the chance to become familiar Further information with a different culture – thinking of the Northern Tian Shan mountains in Kyrgyzstan Further information on the certainly inspires wanderlust. But above all, the region needs help in protecting one of the fundraising campaign: www. world's most endangered big cats: the snow leopard. NABU has therefore established a crowdrise.com/snowleopard/ cooperation with Biosphere Expeditions, a nature conservation organisation. fundraiser/biosphere-expeditions “Biosphere Expeditions makes it possible for communication with local herdsmen is very Information on volunteer expedi- nature enthusiasts to participate in genuine important and therefore part of the expe- tions: www.biosphere-expeditions. hands-on wildlife volunteer expeditions,” Dr dition members' tasks. One aim is to raise org/tienshan Matthias Hammer, founder and executive awareness for the protection of snow leopards director of Biosphere Expeditions, explains. among herdsmen and other locals. The expe- “The local knowledge of the NABU branch dition's field work, which also integrates local Your contact person in Kyrgyzstan and our know-how in the field employees, and the expedition members' Boris Tichomirow of eco- and science tourism provide the basis interest are hoped to act as incentives for the Head of Central Asia Program for our expeditions.” local population to actively participate in and Email: benefit from protecting the snow leopard. [email protected] The participants of each expedition acti- vely support conservation efforts on the The cooperation has also included the ground. Together with the “Gruppa Bars”, launch of a fundraising campaign for camera NABU's team of wildlife rangers, they set up traps. Everyone can join the crowdfunding camera traps or check the status of already campaign – even a small amount is a cont- active ones. Depending on the time of day, ribution! Each additional camera trap helps participants also observe and identify snow scientists to better understand this elusive leopard prey such as the ibex. In this context, big cat and its life in the remote mountain areas of Asia. A camera trap costs approxi- mately 370 euros. ASIA | 29

Number of tigers doubled Indian success story

Tigers need food: An abundance of prey is a precondition for a growing tiger population. Village inhabitants, too, have an interest in preserving their forests, and welcome alternatives such as wood-saving stoves.

In the past three years, the number of tigers in NABU International’s project area in the Indian Valmiki National Park has increased markedly. Today, 22 tigers roam the reserve Your contact person covering about 900 square kilometres of land. Since the last census, the population has Dr Barbara Maas thus doubled. Head of International Species Conservation Monitoring activities require systematic track with the forest authority and local commu- Email: [email protected] and excrement analyses. Additionally, our nities, is paying off, as the most recent tiger project partners have set up camera traps census confirms. – a particularly effective and accurate inst- rument for the census. Since February 2013, “What caused the number of tigers in the 210 camera traps have been set up in the reserve to rise is our successful and compre- reserve, and many of these were funded by hensive approach,” Maas said. “We contri- NABU International Foundation for Nature. buted to improved management structures, Since 2011, all of India’s tiger reserves have initiated transboundary cooperation between been obliged to conduct an annual census India and Nepal, and were able to significantly of the endangered big cats. Coordinated by reduce the dependence of large local commu- the National Tiger Conservation Authority nities on the national park’s forest resources. (NTCA), a nation-wide census is conducted However, the crucial basis for a recovery of every four years. the tiger population is an increase in the number of prey animals. It is therefore parti- “When we took up work in Valmiki, its tiger cularly important to restore the meadows population was unable to grow because it and forests destroyed by commercial timber lacked prey animals,” explains Dr Barbara industries,” the tiger expert continued. “In a Maas, Head of NABU International’s Species world in which habitats for tigers are beco- Conservation projects. But the progressive ming more and more scarce, the big cat’s ecological restoration of the area, which survival depends on whether we are able to NABU International initiated in cooperation effectively protect existing natural areas.” 30 | ASIA

New climate protection project on Sulawesi Gorontalo is a “hotspot of biodiversity”

Malaysia project area

Sulawesi Indonesia

Indian Ocean

Australia

Gorontalo is home to one of the most species-rich forests on earth. A new project is designed to protect the forest and its rare inhabitants and at the same time make an important contribution to climate protection.

NABU and its Indonesian BirdLife partner , Burung Indonesia, have launched a new project Did you know? to protect tropical forests on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. The project is coordinated Every year, a rainforest area larger by the KfW, the German Development Bank, and has received 4,405 million euros in funding than Switzerland is lost. If this from the IKI – the International Climate Initiative of the German government. The project trend continues at its current rate, all will be implemented by NABU and Burung Indonesia until April 2019 in the province of of earth's rainforests will Gorontalo, located in the island’s north. 68.5 per cent of the province is still covered with have disappeared within the next 50 forests which are famous for their unique biodiversity. For this reason, Gorontalo as part years. To counter this development, of Wallacea is listed among the world’s 34 ‘biodiversity hotspots’. NABU has established its Rainforest Fund. More information is available The project area is inhabited by 36 endemic The main aim in Gorontalo is to preserve the at www.nabu-international/ species of birds and numerous other species endangered tropical forest areas as carbon regenwaldfonds which are only to be found here, including sinks and a living environment for indi- the Gorontalo Macaque (Macaca nigrescens) genous people as well as conserving their and the Sulawesi Babirusa (Liopropoma cele- unique biodiversity. Additionally the project Your contact person bensis). The project area connects two nature plans to implement measures to strengthen Tom Kirschey reserves (Panua Nature Reserve and Nantu the structural effects of ERC (Ecosystem Officer for International Project Wildlife Reserve) and six protected forest Restoration Concession) and encouraging Development, Climate Conservation areas, uniting a total of 257,000 hectares of policy development. For this purpose, the and Biodiversity forest. Due to its hilly topography and diffi- ERC Forum initiated by Burung Indonesia will Email: [email protected] cult accessibility, a large part of the forest is support nature conservation organisations in relatively good condition. In the western and forestry practitioners in exchanging part of the forest, however, larger areas have knowledge and facilitate the involvement been allocated for oil palm plantations. NABU of relevant government agencies. In this and Burung Indonesia plan to establish an way, the project significantly contributes to 84,798 hectare “area for ecosystem restora- the further development of ERC as a promi- tion” in order to stop the further expansion sing instrument of nature conservation in of oil palm plantations. Indonesia. ASIA | 31

Long-term success in the “Harapan Rainforest” Forest and climate protection project in Indonesia concluded

Harapan is a “hotspot” of biodiversity! It is home to 726 tree species, 304 bird species, 121 fish species and 57 reptile species. 54 mammals, 38 amphibians, 19 butterfly, three dragonfly and nine bee species, many of them protected, can be found here as well.

After a five-year implementation period, the forest and climate protection project in the Harapan Rainforest on Sumatra ended in April this year. The forest area is one of the most Did you know? biologically diverse places on our planet. These new Ecosystem Restoration Concessions (ERC) were introduced The IKI-funded model project “Harapan An emergency clinic was set up for the in Indonesia by law in 2004. They Rainforest – Restoration of ecosystem of a local population and the over 250 member forbid all logging and the conversion degraded production forest area in Sumatra” strong project staff, and 43 children of the of forest area to agriculturally used is the first area for ecosystem restoration in indigenous Bathin Sembilan tribe currently land. At the same time, they require Indonesia, and with nearly 100,000 hectares visit the primary school established by the the holder to protect and restore the in size, it remains one of the largest to project. In cooperation with the government, forest ecosystem. date. Among the project’s most important a mediation process was initiated to solve achievements are the reforestation of 3,049 both land conflicts and the problem of illegal hectares of forest and the reduction of the timber harvesting. Your contact person deforestation rate from 239 to 76 hectares Tom Kirschey per month. An improved system for preven- Plans for the construction of an over Officer for International Project ting forest fires has been established as well. ­53-kilometre-long road that would directly Development, Climate Conservation cut through the rainforest, proposed by the and Biodiversity 22 Sumatran tigers have been sighted in construction company PT Musi Mitra Jaya, Email: [email protected] Harapan since 2009. Experts assume that threaten to undermine the project’s success worldwide only 400 individuals of this tiger in Harapan. Soon, 800 trucks could be rolling subspecies remain in the wild. But new endan- along the 15-metre-wide road every day. Its gered species have been discovered in the construction would also involve the erection project area as well: The Clouded Leopard of a barbed-wire fence that would divide the and the “Malayan gharial”, a rare freshwater area in two. As a consequence, it would not crocodile. Further scientific findings are only destroy the habitat of the tigers living in to be expected. Currently, researchers and Harapan, but also make it easier for poachers students from three European and five Indo- to enter the protected forest. For this reason, nesian universities are conducting research NABU and its partner organisations urgently in Harapan Rainforest. call on the Indonesian Government not to approve the road construction plans. OVERVIEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL WORK OF NABU

Russia

Kazakhstan

Kyrgyzstan Turkey Azerbaijan Tajikistan Armenia Malta Cyprus

Egypt India

Cuba Djibouti

Ethiopia Liberia Ghana Burundi Kenya Indonesia

Tanzania

AFRICA ASIA CAUCASUS EUROPE Egypt Migratory bird conservation India Tiger conservation Armenia NABU project office Malta Migratory bird conservation Ethiopia NABU project offices Indonesia Rainforest conservation Bird conservation Russia Bird conservation Anti-poaching measures Tiger conservation Conservation of steppe lakes Environmental education Ecotourism Kazakhstan Ecotourism Ecotourism Peatland conservation Establishment of protected areas Establishment of protected areas NGO capacity development Turkey Forest conservation Lion conservation Saiga conservation Mouflon conservation Cyprus Migratory bird conservation Rainforest conservation Kyrgyzstan NABU project offices Azerbaijan Amphibienschutz New Zealand Wildlife ranger support NABU rehabilitation center Bird conservation Burundi Environmental education Environmental education Establishment of protected areas WORLDWIDE Djibouti Environmental education NGO capacity development NGO capacity development Cuba Bird conservation Ghana Environmental education Snow leopard conservation Russia NABU project office Crabs conservation Marine conservation Tajikistan NGO capacity development Bison conservation New Zealand Dolphin conservation Kenya Anti-poaching measures Ecotourism Marine conservation Bird conservation Establishment of protected areas Ecotourism Forest conservation Elephant conservation Forest conservation Poverty reduction Wildlife ranger support Liberia Environmental education Migratory bird conservation Monitoring NGO capacity development project area Tanzania Lion conservation 34 | EUROPE

Europe EUROPE | 35

Nature conservation in the European Union NABU supports BirdLife office in Brussels

NABU President Olaf Tschimpke: “I support Natura Among other species, Rosalia longicorn (Rosalia alpina) and the Eastern pasqueflower (Pulsatilla patens) 2000, because I want this conservation network are now especially protected under the Habitats Directive. programme to form the backbone of nature conservation in Germany and the European Union!”

In 2013, NABU again intensively lobbied in Brussels to influence those decisions that are especially significant for nature conservation work in Germany and all EU member countries. Council Presidencies This was done in close cooperation with BirdLife International and its Brussels Secretariat Further information from NABU on as well as with BirdLife partners in EU member states. the Council Presidencies is available at www.NABU.de/ Among other things, NABU, supported by its better adapt these sites to climate change, eu-ratspraesidentschaft British and Dutch BirdLife Partners RSPB and and on drafting management plans for Natura To learn about what the elections the VBN, coordinated an EU-wide working group 2000 sites in forests, as well as on identifying 25th of May 2014 meant for the on the two central EU nature conservation management plan priorities for some of the conservation of nature and the directives, the Birds Directive and the Habitats so-called biogeographical regions of the EU. environment, visit www.NABU.de/ Directive. NABU experts were also involved europawahl. in the BirdLife working groups on climate Cooperation with Germany's Permanent and energy policy, EU Common Agricultural Representation as well as with representatives Policy (CAP) as well as in working groups of the Federal States in Brussels were also Your contact person on the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and improved. The Representation of the State of Claus Mayr maritime policy. Rhineland-Palatinate, for instance, hosted a Director of European Affairs well-attended event organised by NABU and Email: [email protected] Lobbying for the EU's budget policy, in parti- the Rhineland-Palatinate Ministry for the cular its multiannual financial framework Environment, discussing the second pillar of (MFF) 2014-2020, was made the task of a the EU's CAP on 26th February 2013. Several special working group involving BirdLife and representatives of the European Commission other organisations accredited in Brussels. and the European Parliament (EP) were among NABU and BirdLife experts also joined the the guests. European Commission's expert groups, which Europe in 2013 focused on developing a strategy for For each of the six-month EU Presiden- Natura 2000, a network of sites protected cies, BirdLife compiled a list of demands under the Birds and Habitats Directives, to and sought cooperation with the Council Presidencies.

The wolf benefits from interconnected conservation areas in Europe. 36 | EUROPE

The Asian tiger mosquito and the Policeman’s Helmet are listed as invasive species.

Controlling invasive species New EU regulation for the protection of biological diversity

At the global level, invasive species represent one of the greatest threats to biodiversity. In Tip the EU, experts estimate the number of so-called alien species (neobiota) at about 12,000. Facts about the EU regulation on About 10-15 per cent of them are considered problematic (invasive). These “invasive alien dealing with invasive species can be species” (IAS) have substantial negative impacts on biological diversity, for example when found on the NABU website: they displace native species from their habitat. www.NABU.de/ias-verordnung. The ecological, economic and medical costs Invasive species are therefore a typical environ- caused by invasive species throughout the EU mental problem that does not halt at national Your contact person are estimated to amount to at least 12 billion borders, but instead has to be combated across Claus Mayr euros annually. According to international borders with common minimum standards. In Director of European Affairs studies, the ecological costs caused by invasive 1992, the contracting states of the Convention Email: [email protected] species in the United States, Australia, South on Biological Diversity (CBD), among them Africa, Brazil and India add up to about 100 Germany and the other EU member states, billion US dollars per year, the economic already committed themselves to prevent costs to 230 billion US dollars. Many inva- the introduction of new invasive species, to sive species were introduced by ship from increase their control of already introduced across oceans and rivers; other species were species, and if necessary, to eradicate them deliberately introduced by man, such as the (CBD, in particular article 8[h]). Neverthe- Giant Hogweed from the Caucasus or the less, it took EU member states until 2013 to Policeman's Helmet from the Himalayas. agree on a respective regulation. It remained Many species have also been able to disputed over a long time due to the massive spread due to climate change, for lobbying of the fur and horticultural indust- example the Asian tiger mosquito, ries in the European Parliament (EP) and the which has today reached northern Council of Ministers. But in mid-April 2014, Italy and can transmit yellow fever the EP adopted the regulation with a large and other tropical diseases. majority. In autumn 2014 EU member states also adopted the new regulation, which then came into force on January 1st 2015.

The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) originates from North America. EUROPE | 37

BirdLife is the largest network of NGOs committed to species diversity, the conservation of habitats and sustainable development. BirdLife’s Global Secretariat is located in Cambridge in the United Kingdom. BirdLife’s European work is coordinated in Brussels by BirdLife Europe.

A future for nature and the environment EU passes new Environment Action Programme and new EIA Directive

The Environment Action Programmes (EAP) of the European Community – which is now the European Union – set the course for future political initiatives concerning nature and Fracking the environment. The Birds Directive, for example, adopted unanimously in 1979, is to So far, fracking is not subject to this day one of the foundations of nature conservation in the EU, and goes back to the first environmental impact assessments in EAP from 1973. To make the 7th EAP for the period up to 2020 as ambitious as possible, the European Union: The proposal to BirdLife and NABU have developed proposals, provided much technical input, and done include fracking on the list of projects intensive lobbying. subject to EIA was blocked by the European Parliament's conservative NABU was primary responsible for developing The amendment of the Environmental majority. a statement distributed to all BirdLife Part- Impact Assessment Directive, adopted in ners, which these then used to participate December 2013, will bring progress not only in the public consultations on the EAP in for Germany, but above all for many southern Your contact person 2012. Numerous improvements concerning and eastern European member states. The Claus Mayr resource, soil and nature conservation were experts conducting future environmental Director of European Affairs included in the European Commission's draft impact assessments, for instance, will have to Email: [email protected] thanks to the good cooperation between be “professionally competent, objective and BirdLife, NABU, and the European Parliament, independent”. Issues such as biodiversity and in particular Jo Leinen as one of the rappor- climate change will have to be given greater teurs for the 7th EAP, and Matthias Groote consideration, and alternatives will have to be as chairman of the environment committee. examined more intensively. A more thorough The EAP now also includes improvements assessment of cumulative effects is intended concerning both the implementation of exis- to counteract “salami tactics”, i.e. the wide- ting conservation law and the monitoring spread practice of dividing large projects into of its implementation. A regulation on soil several smaller ones not subject to an EIA. conservation was opposed by some member states, however, among them Germany. 38 | EUROPE

The porpoise is in danger! In the western Baltic Sea, its population has decreased by more than 30 per cent. Gillnet fisheries bear the main responsibility for this trend. Automated longline fishing systems are a sustainable alternative.

By-catch – an unsolved problem Paving the way for a sustainable fishing industry

Almost 30 years of misguided European fisheries policy are responsible for the overfishing of Did you know? nearly half of the EU's fish stocks. On top of this, every year hundreds of thousands of seabirds The EU's Common Fisheries Policy and thousands of whales, dolphins and turtles end up losing their lives as unwanted by-catch. (CFP) regulates fisheries outside national coastal waters and was In December 2012, after over twelve years contradicts the conservation goals defined in reformed in 2013. In the future, the of discussion, in which NABU and BirdLife the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. implementation of multi-annual International, a partnership of national But not only birds, seaducks and fish hunters management plans, research-based non-­governmental conservation organisa- are caught in set nets. For porpoise, too, they catch limits and a discard ban will tions, played an active part, the European are a deadly trap. hopefully help overexploited fish Commission adopted an action plan to help stocks to recover. prevent the senseless death of seabirds As part of a research project funded by the caught in fishing nets. The plan identifies Federal Agency for Nature Conservation, various measures to tackle this problem: The NABU has been testing alternative fishing Your contact person technical modification of fishing gear, opera- gear with fisheries operating in the German Dr Kim Detloff tional management measures in protected Baltic Sea since autumn 2013. The aim is Head of Marine Conservation areas, or intensified surveillance and moni- to replace set nets in protected areas and Email: [email protected] toring. According to NABU, these measures other conflict regions. To achieve this, the have to be made mandatory and be integrated project wants to increase acceptance of inno- into the EU's common fisheries policy, which vative fishing methods and promote dialogue was last reformed in 2013. between fishermen, scientists and conser- vationists. In the meantime, one cutter has Germany has placed nearly 45 per cent of been equipped with an automatic longline its North Sea and Baltic Sea areas under fishing system, another with four automatic the protection of the Natura 2000 network. fishing systems. The introduction of trap And still, up to 20,000 seabirds drown every nets is planned for 2014. These are crucial year on the coast of Mecklenburg-Western contributions to implementing sustainable, Pomerania alone. In particular the large-scale ecologically friendly fishing practices in the use of gillnets and entangling nets sharply marine Natura 2000 areas. EUROPE | 39

In cities with large ports, air pollution is often more than twice as high as in inland cities.

Europe's ports need fresh air Start of the NABU project "Clean Air in Ports"

As part of the EU LIFE+ project “Clean Air”, NABU is actively campaigning for better air in Europe, along with eight other environmental organisations from six European countries. Did you know? NABU's own three-year project within this framework aims for more “Clean Air in Ports”. An English-language working paper on the NABU project for clean ports is Every year around 420,000 people die With its project, NABU wants to contribute available at http://bit.ly/cleanairin- prematurely from the direct health effects to cleaner air in European ports in order to ports. It will be continually of poor air quality. Air pollutants such as protect the environment, the climate and developed as the project is particulate matter (PM) are highly dange- the health of local residents. Experts have implemented, and published as a rous to health and significantly contribute presented the latest scientific findings at four handbook in summer 2015. The to global warming. Others, such as sulfur conferences in the port cities of Hamburg, project team is happy to receive dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxide (NOx), signi- Antwerp, London and Copenhagen. Repre- feedback as well as suggestions for ficantly damage our ecosystems. In ports, sentatives of ports, terminals and businesses additions and amendments. the air is contaminated not only by inco- have presented possible solutions and best- ming and outgoing vessels, which are still practice examples. These include clean air permitted to emit concentrations of exhaust plans, environmental port charges, filters for Your contact person pollutants thousands of times higher than diesel engines and electric motors. Local possi- Julia Balz those permitted on European roads. Dense bilities, barriers and challenges have been Transport Policy Officer rail and road traffic, cranes and other port discussed together with port-stakeholders. Email: [email protected] equipment are significant sources of emis- Two further conferences in Spain and Poland sions, too. This is all the more problematic will follow before the project ends in 2015. because many ports are located either in the centre of or very close to cities. Many European cities permanently breech EU air pollution limits for PM, NOx and SO2. 40 | EUROPE

In the past 15 years, NABU contributed a total budget of almost 70 million euros to LIFE+ projects. These for instance enabled the restoration of marshes and floodplains and targeted conservation measures for the Lesser Spotted Eagle or the Common Spadefoot.

€1 billion for conservation projects NABU’s successful lobbying efforts in Brussels

Between 2012 and 2014, NABU coordinated BirdLife Europe's lobbying efforts on the Your contact person reform of LIFE, the only EU direct funding instrument for environmental projects. Konstantin Kreiser NABU International Biodiversity Initially, there was concern that the EU can be used for projects outside the EU, for Policy Officer and Coordinator of the Member States might cancel funding of example for the protection of overwintering BirdLife Birds and Habitats Directive LIFE despite the programme's recognised migratory birds in Africa. Each project has Task Force ­achievements and its outstanding cost-­ to contribute between 25 and 40 per cent to Email: efficiency. The black-yellow coalition gover- its funding – which is less than previously [email protected] nment in particular had paved the way for and involves less red tape thanks to the joint a first-time cutback of the total EU budget lobbying efforts with BirdLife. by 3.5 per cent, and refused to reallocate funds to LIFE despite a clear multi-fractional Nevertheless, LIFE could do with significantly request by the German parliament. In the more funding. To finance even only a tenth end, however, together with BirdLife partners of the cost of the Natura 2000 network, LIFE in other EU countries, the BirdLife Secreta- needs at least 1 per cent of the EU's budget. riat in Brussels and other environmental In view of the 40 per cent given to agricul- networks such as WWF and EEB, NABU was tural industry in the form of subsidies that able to secure an increase of LIFE funds by are largely harmful to the environment, 6.5%. This would not have been possible NABU and BirdLife will use the next round of without strong support from members of reforms to massively lobby for reallocations the European Parliament, in particular the that benefit nature and society. former North Rhine-Westphalian delegate Jutta Haug (SPD). Over the past 15 years, NABU has contributed a total budget of almost 70 million euros to From 2014 to 2020, the EU will be making LIFE projects. These for instance enabled the available a total of 1 billion euros for nature restoration of marshes and floodplains and conservation projects, funds which in part targeted conservation measures for the Lesser Spotted Eagle or the Common Spadefoot. EUROPE | 41

The use of pesticides and fertilisers on Ecological Focus Areas (EFA) is not prohibited.

Greening the Agricultural Policy Environmental organisations make an impact

A tough negotiation process lasting two-and-a-half years finally came to an end in autumn 2013: The European Parliament and the Agriculture Council confirmed the results of Did you know? the negotiations concerning the reform of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) for the Regulations on the conservation of years 2014-20. permanent grassland in the EU have been revised. At the regional level, Without the support of organisations such areas also include short rotational coppice, the share of grassland with respect to as BirdLife, the Council's decision would catch crops and protein crops. Regulations the total eligible agricultural area certainly have been very different. Because concerning redistributions have also been must not decline by more than 5 per with respect to both the Council's political revised: In order to subsidise smaller farmers, cent compared to 2014. The core messages and questions of detail, the EU Member States can redistribute up to 30 regulations passed by the German influence of environmental NGOs was extre- per cent of the total volume of their direct Federal Government are even mely important and constantly perceptible. payments to farms smaller than the national stricter: From now on, every All in all, four regulations were negotiated average farm size (which in Germany equals transition will need to be approved that will provide the future framework for about 50 hectares). Rural development will and compensated. CAP. They concern direct payments, the also profit, even if only minimally: Member single common market organisation, rural States will have to spend at least 30 per cent of development and the establishment of a their budget on agri-environmental measures, Your contact person common monitoring and evaluation system. organic farming, investment measures and Florian Schöne Most of the new CAP regulations will come less-favoured areas. They have also increased Agriculture Officer into effect in 2015. This includes all environ- the co-financing rate for agri-environmental Email: [email protected] mental regulations on “greening”, which measures to 75 per cent, and agreed on a 10 oblige farmers to convert 5 per cent of their per cent surcharge for climate conservation arable land into “Ecological Focus Areas” measures. (EFA) – or otherwise accept considerable cuts in direct payments. Subject to a review Unfortunately, details were watered down by the European Commission, the share of during the final negotiations as well as during EFAs might be increased to 7 per cent from the national implementation process, so that 2017 onwards. However, eligible agricultural NABU's overall assessment is critical. 42 | EUROPE

For the campaign “CO2 knows no borders!”, the NAJU used balloons to symbolise greenhouse gas emissions and radioactive particles in order to draw attention to the dangers of the EU’s current, unsustainable energy policy.

Ideas for a better Europe NAJU youth delegation in Strasbourg

From 9th to 11th May 2014, a ten-member-strong delegation of the German Youth Associa- Your contact person tion for the Protection of Nature (NAJU) took part in the European Youth Event (EYE) and Christoph Röttgers campaigned for a greener Europe. 5000 young people from all across Europe participated NAJU Federal Youth Spokesman in the event to develop “Ideas for a better Europe”. Email: [email protected] The NAJU delegation wanted to learn more current and environmentally harmful energy about parliamentary work, gain a better policy. Neither possible radiation caused by understanding of the European Union's a nuclear accident in a country dependent structure, and highlight the transnational on nuclear energy such as France nor the interconnectedness of social and environ- dirty emissions from German brown and mental problems. “The EU is the right body black coal-fired power stations will stop from to address, because just like birds or wolves, spreading across national borders. greenhouse gases don't know man-made borders,” said Christoph Röttgers, NAJU's Over the entire weekend, the public was able to federal spokesman. “That's why nature and follow the delegation via its blog (www.NAJU. environmental conservation only make sense de/internationales/european-youth-event), if they are practised across borders.” which it used to report on workshops and discussions. At EYE, young people from For this reason, the young conservationists across Europe developed ideas that they then attended workshops, role-playing games presented to the newly elected MEPs. and panel discussions. They also organised

a campaign under the motto “CO² knows no The NAJU delegation had already addressed borders!”, which attracted public attention. the topics announced by EYE such as youth One of the locations was the bridge across unemployment, sustainability and European the Rhine that connects France and Germany. values during a preparatory meeting in Berlin. Using balloons to symbolise greenhouse gas Further discussions focused on lobbying, emissions and radioactive particles, the NAJUs climate policy and the democratic deficits drew attention to the dangers of the EU's in the EU. EUROPE | 43

conventional cars all cars

180

160 153

140

120 104 100 m 99 /k 2 80 74 g CO 64 60

50 40

20 6 2 0 2010 2015 2020 20 25 2030 2035 2040 20 45 2050

CO2 emissions from new passenger cars in Germany (NEDC) Source: Calculations by Oeko-Institut

Goodbye, gas guzzlers! EU guidelines reduce the fuel consumption of passenger cars

Early this year, Brussels adopted the revised directive regulating CO2 emissions from new passenger cars. After a long and spectacular tug-of-war, a new limit of 95 grams of CO2 per kilometre was set for 2021. From then on, new cars will only be allowed to consume about 4 litres of fuel per 100 kilometres.

From NABU's point of view, the reduction than specified by its manufacturer. Individual of CO2 emissions should and could have models may even consume up to 50 per cent been more substantial in order to make the more than advertised. But the industry's transport sector adequately contribute to tricks are not even illegal, because manufac- KLIMAFREUNDLICHER VERKEHR IN DEUTSCHLAND the urgently necessary reduction in green- turers are able to take advantage of existing WEICHENSTELLUNGEN BIS 2050 house gas emissions. But with active support loopholes that must be closed. from government circles, car manufacturers Further information successfully opposed stricter regulations. This kind of whitewashing certainly doesn't Together with WWF, BUND, German-

We, however, will be left to pick up the tab, help the climate, because the CO2 we emit watch and the German Association for because the additional fuel that we unnecessa- is real and contributes to global warming. Sustainable Mobility (VCD), and with rily consume costs us huge amounts of fossil This nuisance will be eliminated after 2017 the assistance of the Oeko-Institut, resources, affects the climate and ultimately at the latest with the help of a new test cycle NABU has developed a climate burdens car owners with additional costs for to determine fuel consumption, the results of protection concept for a sustainable every additional litre of fuel they pay at the which can be expected to be closer to reality. transformation of the transport sector service station. But these plans are already meeting massive by 2050. It is available online and free of resistance by manufacturers. With the new charge at: www.NABU.de/ What makes matters worse is that average measuring system, they are right to expect klimafreundlicher-verkehr fuel consumption as officially advertised by their average fleet consumption to rise. But car manufacturers is often fundamentally all these calculations easily make us forget at odds with actual on-road consumption our main target: We have to find ways and Your contact person as experienced by car owners. On average, a means to ensure our mobility and substan- Julia Balz car's fuel consumption is 25 per cent higher tially reduce our greenhouse gas emissions. Transport Policy Officer Email: [email protected] 44 | EUROPE

“Anyone concerned about conserving nature and the environment has to oppose TTIP and CETA.” (Sascha Roth, Officer for environmental policy)

Stop the Free Trade Agreement! European Citizens' Initiative against TTIP

Together with some 150 organisations, NABU registered a European Citizens' Initiative Participate now! (ECI) against the free trade agreements TTIP and CETA in July 2014. The aim of “Stop Following the ECI's successful TTIP” is to collect as many signatures from EU citizens as possible, so that the European registration, signatures in the EU Commission and the European Parliament are forced to discuss a possible stop of the two Member States will be collected free trade agreements. online at www.stop-ttip.org from September 2014 onwards. Because in their current form, the proposed production of meat, for instance, or poultry agreements with the United States and might be treated with chlorine. Similarly, Canada are a disaster for man and nature. American legislation on chemicals, known Your contact person Environmental, consumer and labour stan- as the Toxic Substances Control Act, is much Sascha Roth dards that it took great effort to establish in less strict than the EU's chemicals regulation Officer for environmental policy the past are now being haggled over behind REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisa- Email: [email protected] closed doors. tion and Restriction of Chemicals). And even the energy revolution would be threatened NABU fears that the agreements, if they enter if the EU were to import shale gas from the into force, will only undermine nature and United States and Canada instead of relying environmental conservation aims. “Negoti- on renewable energies. ations are being driven by purely economic interests. The negotiators see social and The European Commission has time until environmental standards as obstacles to trade September 2014 to review whether the citi- – and not, as it ought to be, as guarantors of zens' initiative meets all legal requirements sustainable and healthy development,” says necessary for its registration. In case it does, NABU President Olaf Tschimpke. at least one million signatures will have to be collected from all across Europe for the As a consequence, the EU market might initiative to be successful. 72,000 signatures in the future be dominated by products will have to come from Germany alone. In and processes that hardly meet current EU addition, specific quorums have to be reached standards: Hormones might be used in the in at least six other EU countries. EUROPE | 45

Each migration season, hundreds of running metres of nets are discovered and confiscated.

Cyprus and Malta – still no bird paradise Since 2007, wildlife rangers of NABU's partner organisation on Cyprus have been patrolling individual areas for poachers. Whenever they discover poaching gear, they notify the police, Did you know? who then confiscate the illegally set up nets. On Malta, too, NABU and its project partners According to NABU's partners on have to fight for every inch of progress in bird conservation. Cyprus, as many as 150 bird species are affected by illegal bird hunting on Thanks to the support of NABU and the On Malta, too, bird conservation is only the island. The poached songbirds, Heinz Sielmann Foundation, NABU's partner making slow progress, and occasionally also whose number is estimated at over 2 organisation “BirdLife Cyprus” will be able has to accept setbacks. In spring 2014, quail million in each migration season, to continue its daily surveillance work and and turtle dove hunting was fully legalised have a black-market value of several the search for illegal bird hunting sites in again. A dubious exception from the EU-wide million euros. the future. Donations have allowed the orga- ban on spring hunting had made this possible nisation to finance a second-hand off-road – and it entails the risk that protected bird vehicle. Because bird hunters on Cyprus have species are illegally shot. In April 2014, NABU Your contact person become increasingly aggressive in recent partner “BirdLife Malta” therefore organised Lars Lachmann years, “BirdLife Cyprus” equipped the vehicle a bird conservation camp to protect migrating Officer for Bird Conservation and with an emergency GPS locator. In case the birds and immediately report violations of Ornithology conservationists are attacked by poachers, the the law to the police. Email: [email protected] headquarters receives a signal showing the vehicle's current location. Apart from these Possibly, however, this will have been the measures, “BirdLife Cyprus” has intensified last legal spring hunting season on Malta. its public relations work. Its staff organises Together with 13 other Maltese organisations, educational events at schools, and is currently BirdLife Malta has initiated a successful peti- producing an information film. tion: 40,000 inhabitants signed its demand to ban spring hunting, and in this way forced the government to allow a referendum, which will presumably be held in 2014 or 2015. 46 | EUROPE

More protection for peatlands NABU and VOLKSWAGEN expand cooperation

Representatives of NABU and VOLKSWAGEN on the way to an international peatland conservation fund.

Peatlands are among the world’s most important carbon sinks – provided they are intact.

Did you know? Degraded and drained peatlands in turn are a massive source of CO2. NABU and VW Peatlands are ecosystems that are Financial Services have therefore decided to expand the cooperation between NABU and able to sequester and store carbon VW and build on the success they have achieved in Germany. from the atmosphere. Given a water surplus, peatlands produce more On the international agenda, the conserva- exemplary problems inhibiting practical vegetation than they decompose tion of peatlands remains a topic that is still peatland conservation work. The meeting biomass. In this way, over the not given the importance it actually has for also laid the foundations for a cooperation centuries peatlands store large climate protection. In the European part of that is to be part of an International NABU amounts of carbon – in their peat. Russia alone, degraded and drained peatlands peatland conservation fund planned for 2015.

However, if a peatland is drained and release almost 140 million tons of CO2 into The symbolic ground-breaking ceremony did the body of peat exposed to air, the the atmosphere every year – unnoticed and not involve closing a drainage ditch, however. carbon it has stored is released into invisible. The cooperation between NABU and Instead, participants tried handling a turf the atmosphere again. Restoring the VW aims to initiate projects that are relevant analysis borer, because the analysis of drill natural water regime of peatlands is to climate protection and at the same time cores provides information on the degree therefore an important key to have a positive impact on biodiversity. The first of oxidation of the peat, the pore volume, effective global climate protection. step consists in designing a scientific analysis and the peatland’s composition and genesis. of potentials to identify the most effective sites between Eastern Europe and West Siberia and In the past years, NABU has already imple- Your contact person methods to implement peatland conservation mented peatland conservation projects, above Tom Kirschey measures and the basic conditions under all in Russia, for example in the peatlands Officer for International Project which these are possible. As in Germany, effec- of Taldom and the Vinogradovo Floodplain Development, Climate Conservation tive peatland conservation is often hindered on the outskirts of Moscow. Future peatland and Biodiversity by a lack of availability of rewetting areas conservation projects will be implemented Email: [email protected] because of contradictory land use. above all in regions where they are particu- larly necessary and their impact on climate In August 2014, NABU, Volkswagen, the local protection is significant. “The analysis of protected area administration and representa- potentials, which we will present in mid-2015, tives of the nature conservation organisation will provide us with an important basis for “DRONT” came together near Kerzhensky future decisions without limiting us to nature reserve in the central Volga basin specific regions,” says NABU Vice President close to Nizhny Novgorod, and discussed Thomas Tennhardt. EUROPE | 47

Turkey's largest pine forests under threat Quarries are endangering nature, health and prehistoric rock paintings

The large quarries in the pine forests of the Latmos resemble gaping wounds.

Turkey's largest pine forests are now acutely in danger. Quarry operators are planning to extend the extraction of feldspar in the Latmos Mountains. Clearing the forests will not Further information only destroy the region's landscape. Its human population, too, will be threatened, as local Help us to prevent the region's destruction, people, dependent on pine nut and honey production, will not only lose their livelihood save its forests and protect the local but also see themselves exposed to health risks. NABU therefore supports a petition to save population's health! Please sign the petition the Latmos Mountains. and forward it to colleagues and friends: www.bitly.com/savelatmos. But local operators can't seem to get enough was begun, which suggests that operators are of this rock, which is used for the production expecting permits to be issued soon. Unless of bathroom furniture and tiles. And this this is prevented, the Latmos Mountains' Your contact person despite the fact that feldspar is one of the unique natural and cultural landscape will Thomas Tennhardt most common types of rock in the world and be irrevocably lost. NABU Vice President can be found almost anywhere. The Latmos Email: Mountains, however, are unique. In 2012, Together with nature conservation organi- [email protected] quarry operators purchased a large area, the sations and archaeological societies, NABU core zone of the Latmos Mountains. In this is actively campaigning for the protection part, the mountains' most beautiful, nume- of these forests. So far, about 7,500 people rous sites with rock paintings have been disco- from over 50 countries have signed our peti- vered. So far, the Turkish Ministry of Energy tion addressed to the Turkish Ministry of and Natural Resources has not approved the Environment and Forestry. But we need an opening of new quarries in the area. Yet this additional 23,400 signatures for our petition can happen anytime soon. Recently, the cons- to be heard by the Turkish parliament. truction of a road leading into the core zone 48 | CAUCASUS

Caucasus CAUCASUS | 49

Caucasian bison population continues to grow Census of heavyweights reveals success

It is rare to see bison on open plains. They spend most of the year in the dense forests of the Caucasus.

Over the past two decades the number of Caucasian bison has increased from 150 to 850 animals. The census in July 2014 also revealed that the number of young animals increased Did you know? by at least 10-15 per cent since the last population count in August 2012. This increase The Caucasus Mountains not only suggests that the population is developing very healthily. make it difficult for rangers to monitor the animals. Bison, too, live NABU has been committed to protecting the most successful species conservation project there under far harsher conditions bison in the Caucasus since the 1990s. Back in the Caucasus,” he adds. than they would experience in more then, the area was home to only about 150 of temperate forests, e.g. in Germany. these large, impressive, but shy animals. The Anti-poaching units and environmental In winter, the Caucasian bison can bison were hunted mercilessly at the begin- education ensure that the animals’ living withstand a snow cover of up to ning of the 20th century and were extinct conditions improve and the local population twelve meters. by 1927. Although their reintroduction in develops an awareness of the importance of 1955 was successful and the number of bison conserving the bison. A team of inspectors increased to 1,500 animals, the population from the Heritage Site administration moni- Your contact person experienced a substantial drop again in the tors the bison population every year. This Vitalij Kovalev early 1990s. Following the collapse of the time, almost 100 wildlife rangers set off to Head of Caucasus Program Soviet Union, the poaching of bison reached reach difficult to access areas on foot. During Email: [email protected] an unprecedented scale. In 1994 and 1995, the rutting season, the rangers are able to their population shrank abruptly to about approach the ungulates almost without being 150 animals. Even in the central and diffi- noticed. During that time, the bison leave cult to access parts of the Kavkazsky Nature the dense forests and gather in large groups Reserve, the number of bison sank to a few to mate on open grassland, where they are dozen animals. easy to observe. Caucasus “Since we’ve become active in the northern In recent years, the rutting season has part of the Western Caucasus, a UNESCO begun earlier than usual – not in August, World Natural Heritage Site, the number of but already in July. Experts assume the cause wild bison has risen by 700 individuals,” Vitalij to be climate change, which significantly Kovalev, NABU's Head of Caucasus Program, is affects the animals’ annual cycle. happy to report. “The bison project is NABU’s 50 | CAUCASUS

Инициатива предпринимателей «ЮГ РОССИИ»

Объединение защиты природы и устойчивого развития

NABU International Naturschutzstiftung

Members of the business initiatives of NABU and NABU International Foundation for Nature outdoors in the Caucasus

In the wild bison's kingdom Business initiative visits the Caucasus

In mid-May 2014, members of the Business Initiative Caucasus, a business network estab- Did you know? lished by NABU and NABU International Foundation for Nature, travelled to Adygea and If you want to learn more about the Krasnodar. The trade mission was guided by one central question: What can the economy Business Initiative Caucasus, you can do to support the conservation of biological diversity? find an overview at www.NABU-Inter- national.de/unternehmerinitiative. A round table brought together German to directly witness the emergence new part- and Russian entrepreneurs and provided nerships and ideas for the conservation of the an opportunity to expand networks focused World Heritage Site in the Caucasus,” said Your contact person on conserving biological diversity. Russian Thomas Tennhardt, NABU Vice President and Thomas Tennhardt delegates active in sectors such as ecoconsul- President of NABU International Foundation NABU Vice President tancy for construction measures, trade in for Nature, explaining the background of the Email: agricultural products, urban water supply, journey to the Caucasus. [email protected] organic farming, finance, household goods and the textile industry exchanged views On a regular basis, NABU International Foun- and experiences with participating managers dation for Nature invites members of the from Germany. NABU Business Initiative Caucasus to travel its project areas. “The Business Initiative The shared interests of the Russian and significantly contributes to the success of our German trade delegates paved the way running projects, for example our work to for immediate results: For one thing, the protect the Caucasian bison and its habitat,” delegates were able to establish profitable said Vitalij Kovalev, Head of NABU's Caucasus networks, and on the Russian side, the Busi- Program. NABU has been actively involved in ness Initiative fell on open ears. And for nature conservation projects in the Caucasus another, the event strengthened the German for 30 years. delegates' collective identity. “It is wonderful CAUCASUS | 51

Armenia’s diverse landscapes provide habitats for an equally diverse world of flora and fauna.

New alliances in Armenia Companies committed to preserving biodiversity

Sensitising companies to biodiversity is a key focus of NABU's commitment in the Caucasus, and in Armenia in particular. After all, the entire Caucasus is a “hotspot” of biodiversity Your contact person – and Armenia, with its diversity of landscapes and species, is no exception. Vitalij Kovalev Head of Caucasus Program The project “New Alliances to Preserve Biodi- By April 2015, workshops and communication Email: [email protected] versity in the Caucasian Hotspot” has repea- trainings will continue to support both sides tedly brought together NGOs and economic in learning about how they can contribute stakeholders. Discussions focused on reconci- to nature conservation together ling profit- with non-profit-oriented thinking in terms of environmental sustainability. Launched in spring 2013, the project is Non-governmental organisations will be financed by the Federal Environment Minis- taught how to win the support of businesses try's Advisory Assistance Programme for for nature conservation projects in Armenia. environmental conservation in the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia (BHP). 52 | CAUCASUS

The Eastern Imperial Eagle is one of the largest eagles in Europe. According to the IUCN, the species is endangered.

Eastern Imperial Eagle under protection Help for the emperor of the Volga steppes Did you know? Imperial Eagles often live together in A particularly large species of bird can be observed if one travels north from the Caucasus pairs, and stay together for a lifetime. to the Volga steppe in the Russian district of Ulyanowsk. With a wingspan of up to 210 In flight, the impressive animals can centimeters, the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) is one of the largest eagles in reach speeds of up to 125 kilometres Europe. per hour. Together with the region's environment revealed about 110 Imperial Eagle pairs to be ministry, the consulting agency Prowol- living in the Volga steppes of the Uljanowsk sche and the “Russian Bird Conservation Region. Your contact person Union”, NABU is running a new conservation Vitalij Kovalev programme for the Eastern Imperial Eagle. The majestic animal is at home in parts Head of Caucasus Programw The programme is coordinated by NABU's of Europe and Asia. Its global population Email: [email protected] branch in the Russian city of Maykop. It will is estimated at between 5,200 and 16,800 provide large-scale protection for the Imperial individuals. The International Union for Eagle and hopefully serve as a model for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources entire Eastern European region. (IUCN) lists the species as globally endan- gered. Accidents caused by poorly secured As an initial part of the programme, art power lines, habitat destruction and uncont- competitions will be held at schools, and their rolled tourism are responsible for the Impe- results will be publicised and presented in rial Eagle's decline especially in its eastern urban galleries. In addition to this occupied distribution area. eagle nests will be counted. Recent counts CAUCASUS | 53

Azerbaijan does not only accommodate many endemic bird species. The country is also a popular resting and wintering ground for migratory birds.

Bird conservation in Azerbaijan Protecting the Flamingo and the Siberian Crane

The countries of the South Caucasus are considered a paradise for ornithologists. Azerbaijan alone, a country only slightly larger than Bavaria, is home to 363 different species, and Did you know? therefore boasts an unparalleled variety of birds within its small area. The Armenian Society for the Protection of Birds (ASPB) is a Flamingos and endemic birds such as the partner in 2008 definitely ranks among the BirdLife partner, too, and crowns its Caucasian Black Grouse live in the countries highlights of the society's cooperation with “Bird of the Year” as well. The of the South Caucasus. All in all, there are NABU. The organisation, founded in 1986, Hoopoe (Upupa epops) won the 2014 many water birds and migratory birds that introduced NABU's well known “Bird of the election, a species that is common have settled in the wetlands of the Ag-Gel year” campaign in Azerbaijan in 2004. throughout Southern and Central National Park and around the Caspian Sea. Europe and in Asia Some species are critically endangered, As a critically endangered species, the Sibe- mainly because their habitats have been rian Crane (Grus leucogeranus), also known as constricted, which is why the civil society is the Siberian White Crane or Snow Crane, Your contact person actively involved in their protection. was crowned Azerbaijan's Bird of the Year in Vitalij Kovalev 2012. The Siberian Crane owes its name to its Head of Caucasus Program NABU has provided institutional support and snow-white plumage. It breeds in Siberia, and Email: [email protected] conceptual advice to local non-governmental overwinters along the Yangtze River in China organisations in Azerbaijan. The Azerbaijan and on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea Ornithological Society (AOS), NABU's local in Iran. Azerbaijan is an important passage BirdLife partner, has been receiving support area. The Lesser White-fronted Goose was since 1999. Its recognition as a BirdLife nominated Bird of the Year 2013. 54 | CAUCASUS

Olympics next door to Heritage Site Sochi and environmental change in the north-western Caucasus

The World Natural Heritage Site West Caucasus was not affected by the Winter Games. An aerial photograph makes their dramatic impact on the nature of Sochi clear.

The area surrounding Greater Sochi seldom received as much international attention Did you know? as during the 2014 Winter Olympics. At the beginning of the year, the sports spectacle The forests of the “Western provoked a storm of media criticism. Environmental activists from the region and across the Caucasus” World Heritage Site store world had already expressed concern in 2007, when the International Olympic Committee about half a million tonnes of carbon (IOC) selected Sochi to host the games. NABU shared their concern. dioxide. Preserving these mixed mountain forests therefore mitigates After all, the Western Caucasus World Natural construction period had been necessary to climate change. Heritage Site is located directly next to the transform Sochi into an Olympic city and Olympic Park. Its nomination (1997) and develop hotels, sports venues and infrastruc- recognition (1999) was mainly promoted by ture. Inhabitants hardly recognised their city. Your contact person NABU. Covering a total of 300,000 hectares, Sochi National Park with its European yews Vitalij Kovalev the area is slightly larger than the Saarland. and boxtrees had to cope with deforestation in Head of Caucasus Program The protected landmass accommodates dense favour of road construction and slope failures Email: [email protected] mixed mountain forests home to many rare caused by insufficiently secured landfills. plants and animals. Bison and red deer have found a suitable habitat in the area's Cauca- NABU is relieved that the World Natural sian fir tree forests. Heritage Site “Western Caucasus” was not affected by the Olympics' environmental Greater Sochi not only stretches along the impacts. Nevertheless it calls on the IOC and Black Sea coast for 200 kilometers, but also the Russian authorities to implement the extends 50 kilometres inland. From this compensation measures they have promised. perspective, the Olympics were held at For every tree felled, the responsible multip- the foot of the Western Caucasus, whose liers had committed themselves to plant three highest ridges reach 3,300 metres above sea new ones. Now, the task is to observe whether level. Previously, an extensive seven-year they are willing to deliver on their promise. CAUCASUS | 55

Assessment of National Parks Caucasus Working Group inspects protected areas in Georgia

Transcaucasian Long-nosed Viper (Vipera Oriental beech forests are important habitats in the Lagodekhi National Park at the border to transcaucasiana) Azerbaijan.

Much has been achieved concerning the designation of protected areas (PA). Still, the world- wide decline in the number of species has not slowed. A frequent reason for this are deficits Did you know? in the management of many PAs: A lack of personnel, the toleration of unpermitted land use As early as 1889 the Polish explorer and the exploitation of resources, law enforcement deficits, wrong management guidelines, and biologist Ludwik Franciszek corruption – these are only some of the problems that conservation areas worldwide are Młokosiewicz (1831-1909) actively subject to. In these cases, they cannot serve their purpose, which is to protect nature. Activists campaigned for the conservation of of NABU’s Caucasus Working Group have therefore now assessed several of Georgia’s PAs. the Lagodekhi area located on the southern slopes of the Greater In 1995, Borjomi Kharagauli National Park The assessment’s results were largely positive. Caucasus. The area, which today was Georgia’s first National Park to be estab- Modern infrastructure for visitors, more measures about 20,000 hectares, was lished according to international standards. personnel than in German PAs, and functio- placed under protection in 1912 Today, the number of National Parks has ning monitoring systems were noted. These – three years after his death – and increased to ten, covering a total area of factors have made it possible to effectively became the first PA in the Caucasus. almost 277,000 hectares, about 3.8 per cent tackle problems such as poaching. However, The Caucasian Grouse, which also of the country’s area. On top of these, and occasional faults were also identified. PA in occurs in the area, was named in partially overlapping with them, there are border regions for example are still prone to honour of Młokosiewicz. Its scientific a further 14 strictly protected areas, the poaching by border troops. The present and name is Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi. so-called Zapovedniks, with a total area of massive expansion of the use of hydroelectric 141,000 hectares. Over the past two decades, power marks another huge, countrywide many institutions have invested in Geor- threat to biodiversity. In this way, rivers and Your contact person gia’s Pasystem, among them Germany’s brooks whose upper reaches run through PAs Tom Kirschey Federal Ministry for the Environment and lose their function for migratory fish species, Spokesman Caucasus Working Group the Federal Ministry for Economic Coope- and some hydroelectric power plants and Email: [email protected] ration and Development. In summer 2013, dams are even constructed in PAs themselves. members of the Caucasus Working Group The Caucasus Working Group has passed on therefore performed a rapid assessment of its results to the Agency of Protected Areas, PAs in order to see whether they actually live which now has a basis to approach other up to their promises. The focus was on the Georgian governmental bodies and argue Vashlovani and Borjomi Kharagauli National for solutions to the problems highlighted Parks as well as the oldest PA in the whole by the assessment. Caucasus region, the Zapovednik Lagodekhi, established in 1912. 56 | WORLDWIDE

Worldwide WOLRDWIDE | 57

Counting storks NABU coordinates International White Stork Census

One, two, …, – across the world, stork conservationists are out and about in their countries, counting the number of occupied nests.

Ten years ago the 6th International White Stork Census revealed that the world's population of white storks counted approximately 233,000 breeding pairs.. This year, again, many Addtional links voluntary bird conservationists will be out and about in their countries across Europe, Information on the 6th International North Africa, and Western and Central Asia to count the number of occupied stork nests.­ White Stork Census is available online at www.bergenhusen.nabu. The International White Stork Census is a questions. In large part, they now migrate de/weissstorch/zensus unique monitoring project conducted for only to Spain and find plenty of food on the seventh time since 1934. NABU has landfills and rice fields. Having given up been trusted with its coordination for the the dangerous journey to West Africa, the third time. The International White Stork populations in Spain, Portugal, France and Your contact person Census enables us to extrapolate the species' Germany are growing strongly again. Will Thomas Tennhardt worldwide population and analyse regional this trend continue, or has it ended? On the NABU Vice President population trends. The data provide us with basis of an EU directive, landfills in Spain are Email: an important basis for the conservation of increasingly being sealed, which diminishes [email protected] floodplains, meadow valleys and agricultural the stork's food supplies. landscapes. Particular focus will be put on the many Central and Eastern European countries But before these questions can be answered, that joined the EU in 2004, among them the counting and evaluating has to be done. Poland and the Baltic states, as they are home In Germany and other Central European to the largest white stork populations. With countries, the census is conducted annually, their accession, they also adopted the EU's and organisations can rely on an established agriculture and infrastructure policies. How network of bird counters. But in many other has this affected the white stork's habitats countries, organisers of the census are facing over the past ten years? great difficulties. NABU, however, has been Worldwide able to support some countries. Now, staff at While this is most important for the popula- NABU's Michael Otto Institute are waiting to tions in the east, the development of popula- receive the results from about 40 countries tions in the west gives rise to entirely different to compile the overall results. 58 | WORLDWIDE

From October onwards, cranes migrate to their wintering areas. A visit to the environmental education centre in El Oso.

Fascination for cranes Crane conservation established new partnerships and projects

Additional links In cooperation with Ethiopia, Crane Conservation Germany is carrying out new exciting Additional information on “Crane activities in Spain and Turkey. Together with the Spanish BirdLife partner SEO and the Conservation Germany” is available community El Oso, it will improve the conservation of the resting and wintering grounds online at: www.NABU-WWF-Kranich- of “Laguna de El Oso”. This includes supporting the development and funding of a subs- zentrum.de and www.facebook.com/ tantial exhibition section for the new environmental education centre in El Oso that is Kranichschutz currently under construction.

A live webcam broadcast from the Crane new subspecies of the Common Crane, the Your contact person Information Centre in Groß Mohrdorf in the Grus grus archibaldi. The project is being Thomas Tennhardt “Western Pomerania Lagoon Area National conducted in the context of a cooperation NABU Vice President Park” is planned as well. In Turkey, cranes with the Turkish Ministry Of Forestry and Email: were colour-banded with ELSA rings for the Water Affairs – Department of Wildlife [email protected] first time. Six cranes aged between seven and Management and the U.S.-based Internati- nine weeks and two moulting adult birds onal Crane Foundation. The crane monitoring were banded. Country rings were attached project involving Ethiopian and German to their left legs (black-black-black), and conservationists, established in 2007, will individual colour combinations to their right be continued in 2015 as well. legs. In addition, GPS-GSM-transmitters were attached to three young cranes in order to With NABU and WWF as its partners, the obtain data on their habitat and spatial use non-profit organisation Crane Conservation patterns. Whether these cranes will later Germany GmbH was founded in 1996. It become migratory or resident birds is a ques- evolved out of the working group “Crane tion the data will answer by the end of 2014 Conservation Germany”, which had been at the latest. established in 1991 by East and West German crane conservationists with the support Genetic analyses will also solve the exci- of Lufthansa’s environmental sponsoring ting question of whether they belong to a programme. WOLRDWIDE | 59

Opening of the 16th CITES Conference in Bangkok Good news for the Whitetip shark: Stricter international controls on trade now apply to this species as well.

16th CITES Conference Five shark species now under strict protection

Between March 3rd and 14th 2013, the 16th Conference on the Washington Convention (CITES) was held in Bangkok – 40 years after the initial agreement of the convention. The Did you know? NABU Working Group International Species Conservation attended the recent conference, Because elephant poaching has and together with other NGOs fought for better conservation measures for endangered increased dramatically, the United plant and animal species. Nations sounded an alarm at the 16th CITES conference: In 2011, twice It was a remarkable anniversary conference: 20 critically endangered species were even as many elephants were killed as ten The Parties adopted measures to improve the banned from international trade. These years ago, and three times as much protection of 144 endangered plant and 65 include the Green Gecko, popular above ivory was confiscated. endangered animal species including five all with reptile lovers in the EU and previ- shark species that are particularly vulnerable ously only strictly protected in its native to overexploitation. Now stricter controls on country New Zealand. Two thousand euros Your contact person international trade have been adopted for the per specimen are a large enough incentive to Heike Finke whitetip shark, three species of hammerhead smuggle the animals across borders. Speaker of the International Species shark and the porbeagle. At the last three Conservation Working Group CITES conferences, Asian delegations had The polar bear, in contrast, was among the Email: [email protected] still prevented endangered fish species from losers of the conference – it was denied better being listed. In Bangkok, these countries were protection under CITES. Canada is the only now stopped from pursuing their economic country worldwide that continues to trade interests. polar bear products internationally. The US had tried to prevent Canada from conti- Among the winners of the conference is the nuing its trade by including the polar bear African manatee. Thanks to its inclusion in in Appendix I, because after climate change, Appendix I, this manatee species is no longer international trade poses one of the biggest allowed to be traded internationally. 50 turtle threats to the white bears. species now enjoy better protection as well. 60 | WORLDWIDE

Although there are only 50 Maui’s dolphins left, the species can still recover if the harmful fishing methods used in their habitat are finally stopped. Meanwhile, three to four of the extremely rare dolphins continue to die in the gillnets and trawl nets every year – 54 times more than nature allows.

New Zealand’s Maui’s dolphins New Zealand’s Maui’s dolphins

The smallest marine dolphins in the world, the Maui’s dolphins, are acutely threatened Additional links with extinction by gillnet and trawl fisheries. Only 50 of its kind still live in New Zealand’s Further information on the Defence coastal waters – in the 1970s, there were still 2000. Fund is available at www.NABU-­ International.de/delfinfonds Until today, dolphins end up as bycatch in Scientifically based conservation the gillnets and trawl nets of commercial mandate fisheries as well as in the gillnets of amateur In June, Dr Barbara Maas, the foundation’s Your contact person fishermen. But the New Zealand govern- species conservation expert, was invited by Dr Barbara Maas ment ignores the urgent recommendations the Scientific Committee of the International Head of International Species on the protection of dolphins formulated Whaling Commission (IWC) to report on the Conservation by the global scientific community. More plight of the last Maui’s. Our efforts lead to Email: [email protected] than three-quarters of their habitat are still a strong condemnation of New Zealand and disturbed by nets. an official recommendation on the dolphins’ immediate and complete protection. Against NABU International Foundation for Nature New Zealand’s massive opposition, we were has been actively campaigning for the protec- able to enforce these demands at a broader tion of the last Maui’s dolphins for years. political level and with the support of more More than 150,000 people, including nearly than 31 member countries at the meeting 67,000 supporters of NABU International, of the IWC in September. To the surprise have signed our petitions for an immediate of the IWC delegates, New Zealand finally and consistent protection. Yet New Zealand laid its cards on the table and admitted it backs its commercial fisheries and their greed was unwilling to act because it prioritised for profit, and thus knowingly tolerates the economic interests. Maui’s extinction. The International Whaling Commission (IWC), the International Union for Conserva- tion of Nature (IUCN) as well as the Society WOLRDWIDE | 61

New Zealand’s Maui’s dolphins could be extinct by 2030 if the country doesn't adopt sustainable methods for commercial fishing.

for Marine Mammalogy (SMM) demand a their supporters and supermarkets to stop complete ban on fishing in the entire Maui’s buying fish from New Zealand if the country habitat. continues to block the implementation of scientifically based conservation measures. Defence Fund for dolphins Under the industry’s influence, the govern- Oil giants against small dolphins ment is balking at the necessary expansion of Our commitment has lead to a visible success: conservation measures, and quotes economic More than 6,000 square kilometres of the factors as a reason. NABU International thus Maui’s habitat are now protected. The exis- sees no alternative but to take legal action ting protected areas are not enough, however, against the New Zealand government and to save the animals from extinction. And call the fishing industry to account with an even in their protected areas, the Maui’s international consumer campaign. “Only if are far from safe: Shell and the Austrian we can enforce the Maui’s protection in this oil company OMV, which also operates gas way, will they have a chance to survive. To stations in Germany, intend to drill for oil in make this possible, we have established the the rare dolphin’s habitat. NABU Internati- ‘Maui’s Dolphin Defence Fund’,” explains onal has mobilized dolphin friends from all Dr Maas. The New Zealand government’s over the world and filed objections with the decision concerning the boundaries of the New Zealand government in order to achieve Maui’s protected area is not based on scien- that the arguments for the protection of tific arguments, as prescribed by law, but on marine animals are publicly heard. a greed for profits. Thanks to NABU Interna- tional, 104 international nature conservation organisations signed an open letter to the New Zealand government. Its signatories make it known that they intend to call on 62 | WORLDWIDE

Four endemic bird species on Cuba colour-banded

Cuban Emerald (Chlorostilbon ricordii)

Santiago de Cuba’s natural history museum was destroyed by a hurricane.

The local NABU group Großfahner from Thuringia has been supporting the Eastern Your contact person Centre of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (BIOECO) and the University of Santiago de Cuba Tino Sauer since 2000. Students of the university are sent to Germany and trained here as banders. Head of NABU Großfahner The first national banding station in Siboney, too, was established with the help of NABU Email: [email protected] Großfahner in 2010.

In October, a hurricane destroyed houses, projects. But now, the university was closed, schools, hotels and industrial plants on the and everywhere people were busy with recon- coast between Santiago de Cuba and the struction work. Quickly, Natalie decided on village of Siboney. The local banding station three sample areas in order to document the was secured on time. When the village was ways in which bird species were recolonizing flooded by up to four-metre-high waves at the hurricane-affected areas. night, many inhabitants sought shelter at the station, which is located 40 metres above Cuban banders have been registering the ground. Fortunately, there were only light Oriente Warbler (Teretistris fornsi), a songbird damages. The natural history museum and species, with coloured bands since 2009. the University of Santiago de Cuba were hit In the context of a current doctoral thesis, much harder. more than 100 specimen of this species have been colour-banded in Siboney to date. These Under these conditions, NABU intern Natalie specimen are also continually observed Busch began her six-month stay in the affected and examined in fieldwork. The Blue-grey area. Whoever survives for 14 days without Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea), the Cuban electricity and 17 days without running vireo (Vireo gundlachii) and the La Sagra's water as a newcomer and still does his job, Flycatcher (Myiarchus sagrae) were also proves to be more than qualified for the colour-banded in the context of further position. Natalie initially intended to work master's degrees in 2013. These three with students at the university and draft new endemic songbird species will be observed at least until 2016.

Blue-grey Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) ACKNOWLEDGMENTS | 63

We would like to thank the following foundations, public institutions and companies for their support:

Foundations Companies ClimateWorks Foundation Grundig Intermedia GmbH

Deutsche Bundesstiftung Umwelt Oetinger Media GmbH

European Climate Foundation Weltkino Filmverleih GmbH

Gregor Louisoder Umweltstiftung Members of the NABU Business Initiative and the Business Initiative Caucasus of Michael Otto Stiftung für Umweltschutz the NABU International Foundation for Nature Public institutions AURO Pflanzenchemie AG Bundesamt für Naturschutz Energieinsel GmbH Bundesministerium für Familien, ­Senioren, Frauen und Jugend BioGazEnergoStroy Deutschland GmbH

Bundesministerium für Umwelt, Natur- Naturstrom AG schutz, Bau und Reaktor­sicherheit Original Food GmbH Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung saferay GmbH

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale TeeGschwendner GmbH Zusammenarbeit Travel-to-nature GmbH Europäische Kommission TRUST Versicherungsmakler AG Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau Viessmann Werke GmbH & Co. KG Ministerium für Umwelt, Gesundheit und Verbraucherschutz des Landes Brandenburg Wesser GmbH

Ministerium für Landwirschaft und Umwelt In particular, we would like thank all des Landes Sachsen-Anhalt individuals, sponsors and NABU groups who have supported NABU’s internatio- Ministerium für Landwirschaft, Umwelt nal work financially, and all persons who und ländlichen Räumen des Landes have considered us in their inheritances Schleswig-Holstein and legacies.

Umweltbundesamt 64 | DIE INTERNTIONALE ARBEIT DES NABU IM ÜBERBLICK

Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union NABU International Foundation for Nature (NABU)

For 115 years, NABU‘s genuine commitment and In 2009, NABU established the NABU International Founda- professional know-how have inspired people take action tion for Nature. It supports projects in two central fields of together for nature. One of the oldest and largest action, climate protection and biodiversity conservation. NABU environmental associations in Germany, NABU has more International works mostly in those regions of the earth were than 540,000 members and supporters. pristine natural and cultural landscapes are still intact but under increasing pressure. The Foundation both conducts In its international work, NABU concentrates on the regions projects of its own, in close cooperation with local partners, of Africa, Central Asia, and the Caucasus. Its activities range and supports NABU‘s international conservation projects. from protecting habitats and biodiversity over climate protection, ecotourism, and environmental education to capacity building, poverty alleviation, and strengthening of the civil society.