FEATURE A Future for focus the Tiger P4 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 • VOLUME 30, NUMBER 6 WORLDWILDLIFE.ORG

MEMBER NEWS Doubles Size Make a Gift to the Earth You can help ensure Earth’s most remarkable Of Tesso Nilo National Park places survive and flourish by selecting a gift from WWF’s holiday catalog. A Major Conservation “This is a sample is found in this issue Win for Sumatran of FOCUS. Elephants, Tigers momentous The Indonesian government agreed to expand Tesso Nilo decision that National Park, a protected area in that is critical to the offers hope for future of Sumatran elephants and tigers. WWF representa- some of the tives were present at the August decree-signing ceremo- ny in Province, Sumatra, planet’s most along with the governor of Riau, Indonesian Ministry of spectacular Forestry officials and other dignitaries. wildlife and “This is a momentous deci- sion that offers hope for some forests.” of the planet’s most spectacu- lar wildlife and forests,” says – Carter Roberts New Gifts: In addition to 91 Carter Roberts, president of President, WWF symbolic species adoptions, WWF, which supported the this year we’re presenting a effort to extend the park. Bucket of Frogs from the “There is still much to do, how- “At its creation, the park was Amazon and a Meerkat Mob ever, as Sumatra’s forests con- smaller than we advocated family from Namibia. tinue to disappear to feed the for—94,000 acres—and in Gift Cards: Can’t decide on growing global demand for August the government a gift? Donate to WWF and pulp, paper and palm oil.” announced that it would work let your loved one make a The Indonesian government to make the park greater than selection. created Tesso Nilo in 2004 200,000 acres, the amount we Extraordinary Gifts: Directly after a WWF study found that have lobbied for since 2001,” support exciting—and criti- the forests in and around Tesso says Tom Dillon, WWF’s senior cal—WWF projects and Nilo had the highest vascular vice president of field programs. programs. plant diversity per area ever Tesso Nilo is one of the last Peruse the full catalog at recorded by science. Despite forest blocks large enough to worldwildlife.org/gifts or its incredible biodiversity, how- support a viable population call toll free 1-800-CALL-WWF. ever, the forests were threatened of endangered Sumatran

by unsustainable logging. © Kess/WWF Volker CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 ➤

Protecting Sacred Marine Resources for Future Generations

WWF’s Getty Award Honors Malagasy Award for his outstanding com- builds conservation leadership communities to take on man- Conservation Leader munity leadership in support of for tomorrow. Each year the agement of coral reefs and conservation. The $200,000 award is used to establish related habitats. Since 2003, Three years ago, after annual award is unique in that graduate fellowships named plans for creation of community- seeing a decline in marine it not only honors today’s top in honor of the winner and managed marine protected health—and as a result, a conservationists, but also J. Paul Getty. areas have spread from one drop in catches by local fisher- For generations, the indige- village to more than 30 in the Despite lacking a conservation men—the president of the background, Roger Samba helped nous semi-nomadic Vezo peo- region. This work has inspired remote coastal village of launch Madagascar’s first community- ple of Andavadoaka have the development of ambitious run, no-take zone for octopus.

Andavadoaka in southwest ©Ventures Courtesy of Blue depended on artisanal fishing alternative livelihood and envi- Madagascar decided to take activities for their livelihoods, ronmental education initiatives, action. Despite having no culture and tradition. But in influenced national fisheries background in conservation, recent years, the region’s legislation, and brought Roger Samba successfully marine resources faced grow- unprecedented attention to brought together organizations, ing threats from expanding marine and coastal conserva- fisheries groups, government coastal populations, unsustain- tion issues. Fishermen and agencies and community mem- able tourism and an increase in women have traveled from bers to develop and launch international fishing fleets. across Madagascar and Madagascar’s first community- Samba, a former teacher, beyond to learn from the run, no-take zone for octopus— spent much of the last five Andavadoaka model. the region’s most economically years working to protect the “Under Roger’s leadership,” important fishery. region’s fragile marine biodiver- wrote Alasdair Harris, director WWF has awarded Samba sity and habitats. He created a of scientific research at Blue CONTINUED ON PAGE 6 ➤ with the 2008 J. Paul Getty ©Ventures Courtesy of Blue blueprint for empowering local

IN THIS ISSUE: Take Action 2 Species Spotlight 2 Conservation News 3 Travel 7 2 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 FOCUS

TAKE ACTION President’s Message WWF Activists Making a Difference WWF activists have done it WWF, through our Global A Powerful Conservation Symbol again: Your letters and calls— Forest & Trade Network, helps in concert with WWF’s scientific responsible companies, includ- research, outreach to ing wood importers, to source Congress, and fieldwork in key legal and sustainable wood. The ecoregions—made a huge dif- illegal logging ban will help ference. Go to wwf.world- level the playing field for these wildlife.org/action to join businesses that are doing the WWF’s Conservation Action right thing. Thousands of WWF Network and be a part of future activists spoke out in support of victories. the prohibition on illegal wood. hen a small ILLEGAL LOGGING HOUSE PASSES GREAT CATS group of scien- The tiger remains

BAN ENACTED AND RARE CANIDS ACT tists and conser- © Sam Kittner symbolic of our mission The United States became the The House of Representatives vationists came together to form WWF and what it takes to first country in the world to ban passed the Great Cats and ‘‘‘ in 1961, they realized they needed a succeed. the import and sale of illegally Rare Canids Act, which will strong,W recognizable symbol that would bridge all lan- sourced wood and wood prod- protect imperiled species such guages. After they agreed that a big, furry bear with ucts when a ban was enacted as lions, leopards, jaguars, black-patched eyes would be perfect, Sir Peter Scott—a noted ornithologist and the first as part of the 2008 Farm bill. cheetahs and African wild chairman of WWF—created the panda logo, which remains one of the most’’ recognizable dogs. Wild cats and canids logos in the world. may be fierce and powerful, Environmental threats have expanded and become much more complex since our but they are also extremely vul- founding, but our core mission remains rooted in protecting endangered species and their nerable. Worldwide, they face habitats. And while our proudest achievements include protecting pandas, black rhinos and serious threats from illegal elephants from extinction, no other species seems to capture the public’s attention like tigers. hunting, habitat loss, disease, These charismatic and majestic creatures draw crowds at zoos, are used by countless and many other factors. WWF advertisers and sports teams, and are cultural symbols of strength and prosperity. activists have spoken out in Unfortunately, there are only an estimated 4,000 wild tigers remaining—about half of them in support of this legislation since India—and they occupy less than 40 percent of the habitat they did in 1995. the fall of 2006, sending tens of While the numbers are alarming, we believe that with the right conservation policies, thousands of letters to the leadership and resources, we can take what is a declining graph line and turn it upward. Our House of Representatives, and goal: increase the wild tiger population to at least 6,000 by 2020. are now urging the U.S. Senate Tigers are incredibly resilient. Give them room to roam and prey to eat, rapid recovery is © Martin Harvey/WWF-Canon Cheetah mother with mature cubs to pass the bill. possible. Just look at the Amur tiger in the Russian Far East. In the 1940s, only 40 individuals remained. Now, due to antipoaching and habitat protection efforts, and the reduction of the trade in tiger parts, their numbers have soared to 400. We also know that we must work with the people who live within tiger landscapes. This was WORLDWILDLIFE.ORG evident when I joined members of our Nepal program last year in the Terai Arc. I sat on the floor and spoke with leaders of some 90 community groups that ring Chitwan National Park. Conservation Firsthand By law, these groups receive 50 percent of the revenue of the park, so it is in their vested interest to make sure tiger populations—Chitwan’s major tourism draw—remain intact. Owing Join WWF scientists and to their fierce vigilance, forest restoration efforts and use of biogas stoves, poaching rates program leaders as they have plummeted in recent years and forest cover has expanded. journey into some of the Tigers are powerful symbols, not just because of their beauty, but because their lives are world’s most remote bound up in the places we are so committed to protecting—whether it’s in the Russian Far locales. From tracking tigers East, in Nepal and India’s Terai Arc or on the Indonesian island of Sumatra. Along with our in Asia to meeting with the tried and true panda, the tiger remains symbolic of our mission and what it takes to succeed. conservationists we support in Africa’s Congo Basin to collaring polar bears in the Arctic, WWF experts share their on-the-ground experi- Carter S. Roberts ences in the places we’re striving to save. worldwildlife.org/firsthand speciesSPOTLIGHT

Tiger (Panthera tigris)

November/December Recognized throughout the world for its focus Volume 30 Number 6 undeniable beauty and power, the tiger faces an uncertain future. An estimated 4,000 likely President World Wildlife Fund is the leading remain in the wild, most in isolated pockets Carter S. Roberts U.S. organization working world- spread across increasingly fragmented wide to preserve the abundance Editor and diversity of life on Earth. forests. WWF and our conservation partners Jennifer Seeger WWF is affiliated with the interna- are working to protect the tiger by establish- tional WWF Network, which has ing and managing protected areas, reduc- Contributors representatives in more than 50 Shannon Barber-Meyer, countries and an international ing poaching, and working with local com- Trishna Gurung, Mike Kite, office in Gland, Switzerland. All munities to support tiger conservation. Elissa Poma, Debra Prybyla, contributions are tax-deductible. Jill Schwartz, Erika Viltz Habitat: Tigers live across the continent of Asia. Unless otherwise noted, material Copy Editor appearing in FOCUS is copy- Diet: They prefer to eat ungulates or hoofed Alice Taylor righted and may be reproduced with permission. animals (like deer and wild pigs). Production Lee Freedman Volume 30, Number 6 Threats: There are many threats, including (ISSN 0774-3315) Member Services habitat loss, growing human populations, Phone: 800-960-0993 FOCUS is published bimonthly by illegal hunting of tigers and their prey, and Email: [email protected] World Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th expanded trade in tiger parts. Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20037. Annual membership dues Interesting Fact: Tigers are able to eat up to 80 are $15.00. Nonprofit postage World Wildlife Fund paid at Washington, D.C. and pounds of meat at one time; however, they are 1250 24th Street, NW additional mailing offices. successful in roughly one out of every 20 attacks. Washington, DC 20037 POSTMASTER: Send address 202-293-4800 changes to: FOCUS, World worldwildlife.org Wildlife Fund, 1250 24th Street, NW, P.O. Box 97180, NW, Help save tigers and other threatened species and their habitats! Washington, DC 20090-7180. Visit worldwildlife.org/adopt to symbolically adopt a tiger.Your donation will

contains recycled fiber Cert no. SGS-COC-003683 be used in general support of WWF’s conservation efforts around the world. R. Isotti, A. Cambone-Homo Ambiens/WWF-Canon FOCUS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 • 3 conservationNEWS

Polar Bears Sighted in Open Water Restoring Sustainable Shrimp Melting Ice Forcing Bears to Swim Longer for Food Farms in Banda Aceh Industry Destroyed by design, and building environ- 2004 Tsunami mental stewardship capacity amongst the small-scale farmers WWF and our partners are seeking this renewed livelihood. working in Indonesia’s Aceh To encourage sustainability, Province to improve shrimp WWF and other groups are farming practices and apply working to improve farming green disaster reconstruction methods in the Aceh village of and recovery principles to Mesjid Utue. “We want to rebuilding the shrimp facilities reward farmers for better prac- and livelihoods that were dev- tices,” says Dr. Aaron McNevin, astated by the 2004 tsunami. senior program officer in Shrimp farming is one of WWF’s aquaculture program. Aceh’s largest industries; “We know they will feel reward- before the tsunami struck, it ed when they can decrease supported the livelihoods of their environmental impact, about 90,000 people. increase their yields, receive a The tsunami destroyed about premium price for their shrimp half of the brack- ish water ponds where shrimp and milkfish are © Eunice K. Park/WWF-Canon While it’s not uncommon for polar raised, and Government scientists flying polar bear biologist with WWF. bears to swim, conservationists are damaged or over the Chukchi Sea in August “It’s an indication that as the worried that melting ice is forcing destroyed much bears to spend longer periods of time spotted at least nine polar bears sea ice on which they live and in the water looking for food, putting of Aceh’s aqua- swimming in open water—with hunt continues to melt, many them in danger of drowning. culture infra- one at least 60 miles from shore. more bears will be out there structure. All of Rising temperatures are melting facing similar risk.” Minerals Management Service Aceh’s aquacul- © Jürgen Freund/WWF-Canon much of the Arctic sea ice, forc- Satellite images indicate that was conducting marine surveys ture ponds prior The 2004 tsunami damaged or ing polar bears and their cubs to ice was absent in most of the in the Beaufort and Chukchi to the tsunami were along the destroyed Aceh’s aquaculture swim longer distances to find region where the bears were Seas in advance of potential coast, and some were located infrastructure. food and suitable habitat. sighted on August 15. As offshore oil development. WWF in the ecologically sensitive and know they are performing Although the bears are strong FOCUS went to press, Arctic opposes lease sales in the “green-belt,” where mangroves at the top of their game.” swimmers, the necessity to swim sea ice was at the second- Chukchi Sea and joined litiga- had been cleared to make Since better management greatly increased distances puts lowest level on record, and on tion led by local communities in room for the farms. practices will be of little value them in danger of drowning. its way to dropping below the the Arctic region. Home to the WWF’s sustainable aquacul- if the shrimp cannot be sold, “To find so many polar bears record set in 2005. polar bear and many marine ture work, implemented in col- WWF is working to create an in open water at one time is a The discovery of the nine species, the Chukchi Sea is a laboration with our partners, expanded market for the concern,” says Geoff York, a bears at sea came as the U.S. critically important marine envi- includes restoring the green shrimp. We hope development ronment and offshore oil devel- belt, establishing farms in areas of a healthy market will help opment poses too many risks to that are less ecologically sensi- the industry remain strong WWF Scientists species already imperiled by tive and more productive, con- after WWF’s work in Aceh is climate change. structing ponds with better completed. Track Bluefin Tuna Tagging to Shed Light on Population Decline Illegal Trade Depleting Biodiversity in Cambodia, Vietnam Strong Incentive to Poach, Trade Tigers

Illegal wildlife trade and unsustainable harvesting is depleting the rich and varied biodiversity of Cambodia and Vietnam, where a significant number of people rely on traditional medicine. “The supply of many wild animals and plants for medicine in Cambodia and Vietnam is becoming scarce due to overex- ploitation,” says Crawford Allan, TRAFFIC’s director in North America. “Some of the trade is illegal and threatening endan- gered species. In Vietnam, we estimate that 5 to 10 tiger skele- tons are sold annually to be © M. San Felix used in traditional medicine. The bluefin tuna—highly prized around the world, especially in Japan for sushi and sashimi—has been under increasing pressure from overfishing. With each skeleton fetching about $20,000, there is a strong WWF scientists are tagging bluefin tuna in Spain’s Balearic incentive to poach and trade Islands in hopes that data on their migratory routes and behavior tigers, and we must address it will help decision makers make better-informed choices concerning from the grassroots up.” fishing management. Little is known about bluefin tuna populations, TRAFFIC, a joint program of which have experienced alarming population declines due to over- WWF and IUCN, recommends fishing, poor international conservation management and high levels further research, increased pub- of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. lic awareness, information shar- © Zhang/WWF-Canon Yifei “Bluefin tuna stocks are on the brink of collapsing, which would ing among numerous agencies, and more involvement by insti- A significant number of people living be catastrophic not only for the species, but everyone who tutions and organizations in the harvest, trade and use of tradi- in rural communities in Cambodia depends on these fish for their livelihoods and survival,” says and Vietnam rely on traditional tional medicine. medicine for their healthcare. Mark Stevens, senior program officer for WWF’s Marine Fisheries Traditional medicine systems in Cambodia and Vietnam are program. “This project will help arm us with the information we often the only means of healthcare for rural communities. need to fuel our work to restore tuna populations to healthy levels.” “Understanding which animal and plant species and products WWF’s tagging project, called “On the Med Tuna Trail,” will collect are used and traded, and the underlying trade mechanisms, can information on the position and depth of tuna. Adult fish are fitted provide a useful tool to assess the sustainability of such trade with pop-up tags, which detach on a pre-programmed date and and provide an early warning about species that are threatened,” float to the surface where the data can be read by satellite says Dekila Chungyalpa manager of WWF’s Mekong program 4 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 FOCUS Tigers at a Tipping Point WWF’s Goal: Increase Population to 6,000 by 2020

WF is aiming to increase the wild tiger population to at least 6,000 by 2020 across 13 priority landscapes from Russia to India to Indonesia. WWF’s ambitious Wvision includes restoring tigers to at least 20 percent of their former range, making tiger conservation a political priority among the range countries, effectively eliminating the trade in tiger parts and products, and decreasing human-tiger conflicts. Conservationists estimate there are about 4,000 wild tigers remaining today, and they occupy less than 40 percent of the habitat that they did in 1995. Globally, tigers now occupy less than 7 percent of their historic range and have been wiped out of vast areas where they used to roam. “These statistics should serve as a rallying cry for taking immediate strategic action,” says Dr. Shannon

Barber-Meyer, a tiger conser- © Jeff Foott/WWF-Canon vation program officer in Bengal tiger track WWF’s species program. “Although extensive habitat is still available in some landscapes, agriculture, the clearing of forests, and rapid development—espe- cially road networks—are forcing tigers into small scattered islands of remaining habitat.”

Huge Gaps in U.S. Captive Tiger Regulations Tigers Vulnerable to Illegal Trade

There are no reliable regula- the Save the Tiger Fund. “Any tory mechanisms to keep track supply of tiger parts into the of the estimated 5,000 captive black market can stimulate tigers in the United States, trade and consumer demand, according to the first-ever which could pose a serious report on the issue, released threat to already dwindling wild by TRAFFIC and WWF. While tiger populations.” there is no evidence that the tigers are a source for the inter- national black market, weak regulations could leave them vulnerable unless the issue is addressed. “The United States has a

© Vladimir Filonov/WWF-Canon responsibility to effectively The tiger is the largest of the Asian big cats and can be manage its captive tiger popu- found in a wide range of habitats, from the evergreen forests of the Indo-Malayan realm, to the mixed lation to prevent any emer- coniferous-deciduous woodlands of the Russian Far gence of illegal trade,” says East, to the mangrove swamps of India and Leigh Henry, program officer © Wil Luijf/ WWF-Canon Bangladesh. In addition to being a powerful symbol for TRAFFIC is calling on the United many cultures, tigers are top predators, keeping for TRAFFIC North America States to institute a registration populations of wild ungulates in check and and coauthor of the report, system to regulate captive tigers. maintaining the balance between prey herbivores and which was commissioned by The United States has no the vegetation upon which they feed. way to determine exactly how many tigers are in captivity Tiger Conservation Landscapes within its borders, where they are, who owns them, or what happens to their body parts when they die. According to the report, a registration system for all captive tigers and a means to monitor disposal of dead tigers is urgently needed. © Michel Gunther/WWF-Canon For decades, WWF has understood that the only way conservation works is to take into account the needs of both nature and people. In the Terai Arc, which covers 11 protected areas and corridors in India and Nepal, local communities living around the protected areas have incentives to protect tigers— as well as endangered rhinos and elephants. Many communities receive a percentage of park revenues, and they know that FOCUS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 • 5

Drastic Conservation Measures SATELLITE PHONE SAVES THE DAY Last summer in India, where there may be as few as 1,400 Thanks to your support, WWF is wild tigers remaining, conservationists relocated two endangered In addition to habitat loss, able to provide field staff in the Bengal tigers from the Ranthambore tiger reserve to the Sariska tigers are suffering from world’s most remote landscapes with satellite phones, which are tiger reserve. poaching for illegal trade and a dramatic decrease in critical to our work. In August, a “The very fact that the tigers were helicoptered into Sariska natural prey like deer, wild survey team in search of tiger because they couldn’t naturally disperse there on their own due to pig and wild cattle. signs was chopping its way through the dense Sumatran lack of habitat connectivity forest, when one of them was speaks to just how dire the sit- injured. The crew immediately uation is and what drastic used the satellite phone to arrange for the evacuation of measures we must now rely their fellow team member from on,” says Barber-Meyer. the remote jungle to the hospital. Because they were able to An Optimistic Future communicate with the base station and organize Despite the alarming unscheduled transportation, the field crew member was safely threats facing tigers, the hard treated for his injuries. work of WWF and our conser- vation partners is making a tangible difference. In 1940, for example, the Amur tiger © Buffett/WWF-US Howard numbered no more than 40. Today, thanks to rigorous antipoaching and habitat pro- tection efforts, that figure has MORE HABITAT FOR rebounded to more than 400. AMUR TIGERS In Nepal, Cambodia and China, WWF is implementing new tiger After years of advocacy by WWF, and prey monitoring protocols. The data collected will allow us to last year the Russian government established three national parks in obtain baseline population information, measure our conservation the Russian Far East for tiger interventions over time, facilitate adaptive management to foster conservation. The three parks tiger conservation, and document tiger and prey recovery. We are cover almost a million and a half acres of mixed coniferous- also actively working to ensure that China maintains its domestic deciduous forests and boreal tiger trade ban, which was instituted 15 years ago. forests. Unlike the country’s strict “Although the global decline of tigers is frightening, we remain protected areas (zapovedniks), which restrict all uses besides optimistic because good tiger habitat still exists,” Barber-Meyer scientific research, these are the says. “If we can stop the poaching of tigers and their prey, protect first protected areas with national the remaining habitat and restore degraded and fragmented land- park designation — they exist for both conservation and tourism. scapes, we can reverse the downward trend. When tigers and their prey are afforded adequate protection they can thrive even in

today’s human-dominated world.” © Vladimir Filonov/WWF-Canon © WW/Shannon Barber-Meyer

WWF IN THE FIELD: Dr. Shannon Barber-Meyer

WWF’s Dr. Shannon Barber-Meyer, a tiger conservation pro- Bengal Tigers Disappearing gram officer, recently joined WWF field teams tracking tigers in key tiger habitats in Cambodia, Nepal and Indonesia. From Nepal Reserve Here’s an excerpt from her record of their time in Cambodia. Visit worldwildlife.org/tigertracking to read the entire expedition diary.

Cambodia: I saw my first tiger track along a recently burned trail in the dry deciduous forests of Eastern Cambodia! It’s a remarkable—and encouraging—find because we estimate there are relatively few tigers left in the Eastern Plains Landscape of Cambodia.

The best part of the story is who found the track: Kha (lower right). After the fall of the Khmer Rouge, Kha earned his living as a tiger poacher. By rural Cambodian standards, he was relatively well-to-do because he excelled at poaching tigers and their prey. WWF has given Kha another way to make a living by using his excellent wildlife tracking skills to

© Jeff Foott/WWF-Canon save tigers rather than poach them. We are very fortunate to WWF is working to improve community-based antipoaching operations. have Kha on the WWF team because he is known as the best tiger tracker in all of Eastern Cambodia. Because Kha WWF Increases increasingly vulnerable to this wanted to see tiger populations recover and because WWF despicable trade, which has Community-based was able to offer Kha a reliable income, he now works to already emptied several Indian Antipoaching Efforts conserve the last remaining wild tigers in Cambodia. Talk tiger reserves— clearly, this is about a conservation success story! In Nepal’s Suklaphanta symptomatic of the larger tiger Wildlife Reserve, which once crisis in the region. We need a © WWF-Indonesia © WWF-Indonesia © WWF-Indonesia boasted one of the highest den- stronger, more sustained sities of endangered species in response to this issue in order the Eastern Himalayas, a terrible to protect the future of tigers in reality has emerged. A field sur- the wild.” Researchers Encounter Tigers in Indonesia vey conducted in April found Most poached tigers end up Since researchers began set- are a promising sign that tigers between 6 and 14 Bengal tigers, in China and Southeast Asia, ting up camera traps in Tesso are doing well in Tesso Nilo, down from 20 to 50 in 2005. where they are used in tradi- Nilo National Park in 2004, which was established in 2004 “The loss of tigers in tional Chinese medicine. WWF they’ve reported three direct after a WWF study documented Suklaphanta is undoubtedly is working closely with local encounters with Sumatran the area’s significant biodiver- linked to the powerful global communities and various gov- tigers, twice in Tesso Nilo and sity. The government of mafia that controls illegal wildlife ernment bodies in Nepal and once in Bukit Rimbang Baling Indonesia recently agreed to trade,” said Jon Miceler, manag- India to eliminate illegal trade, Wildlife Sanctuary. The most expand Tesso Nilo to more than ing director of WWF’s Eastern including improving community- recent encounter occurred in 200,000 acres (see page 1). Himalayas program. “The evi- based antipoaching operations July, when Eka Septayuda, a Camera traps in Tesso Nilo dence suggests that Nepal’s and better equipping rapid- WWF tiger research team mem- have resulted in more than 100 endangered tigers are response teams. ber, and a guide came upon a frames of tiger photos, from while following which researchers have identi- tracks. While they are frighten- fied 10 different individual ing encounters, the sightings Sumatran tigers. © WWF-Indonesia 6 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 FOCUS Walmart Pledges to marketing PARTNERSHIPS Purchase Wood Responsibly Gaiam Gaiam has teamed up with Joins WWF to Promote forests. Walmart’s commitment Within one year, Walmart will WWF to offer gifts that give Credible Certification includes the importation and complete an assessment of back for the holidays. As a part sale of all wood-based prod- where its wood furniture is of the Gaiam Thoughtful Tee Walmart, Inc., the world’s ucts with an initial focus on coming from and whether the program, the company will largest retailer, plans to phase wood-based furniture. It cur- wood is harvested from well- donate $5 to WWF for every out unwanted wood sources rently sources furniture from managed forests. Once the organic cotton “Transform” from its supply chain and the Amazon, the Russian Far assessment is completed, it and “Au Naturel” t-shirt sold increase its proportion of wood East, northern China, has committed to eliminating through their website through products originating from credi- Indonesia, and the Mekong the purchase of wood from December 31. The “Transform” bly certified forests for Walmart region of southeast Asia— unknown sources within five t-shirt is also available through stores and Sam’s Clubs in the some of the most biologically years. The company will also their catalog. (gaiam.com) United States. diverse places on Earth. stop buying wood from forests Walmart’s pledge came as that are of critical environmen- After Walmart has assessed where tal, socioeconomic, biodiversity they joined WWF’s Global its wood furniture is coming from, Forest & Trade Network, an ini- the company has committed to or landscape value, as well as tiative to save the world’s most eliminating the purchase of wood from forests that are poorly from illegal and unknown sources managed. At the same time, it valuable and threatened within five years. Calendars from will seek to buy increasingly Barnes & Noble more of its wood from credibly certified forests (see sidebar). Barnes & Noble is offering 13 Walmart’s commitment to pro- WWF wall calendars for 2009 moting responsible forestry with wildlife themes including builds on the company’s collab- giant pandas, polar bears and oration with WWF. In 2006, the wild cats. They are also offering company committed to pur- two spiral-bound engagement chasing 100 percent of its wild- desk calendars, one featuring caught seafood sold in the baby animals and the other United States from sources cer- wolves. WWF receives tified by the Marine Stewardship approximately 3 percent of the Council within four years. retail price of each calendar. (bn.com) © WWF-Switzerland/A. della Bella/WWF-Canon What Does the FSC Label Mean? Debt-for-Nature Swap Protects The Forest Stewardship Council (fsc.org) is an international Madagascar’s Biodiversity organization that sets global standards for responsible forest management. WWF believes that FSC is currently the most Government using a country’s debt to help a conservation fund estab- credible forest certification system for ensuring environmentally Pledges to Triple fund conservation and the first lished by WWF, Conservation responsible, socially beneficial and economically viable man- Protected Areas debt-for-nature swap was exe- International and the govern- agement of forests world-wide. FSC certification ensures that cuted in 1989 in Ecuador. ment of Madagascar. Thanks forests have been protected and the rights of local communi- Madagascar and France The funds from the debt-for- to the agreement, the fund has ties have been respected, even as wood is harvested. FSC recently signed a $20 million nature swap will be managed reached its endowment target chain-of-custody certification tracks timber products from the debt-for-nature swap— through the Foundation for of $50 million. forest floor to the retail shelf. Customers purchasing products the largest agreement in Protected Areas and Biodiversity, WWF has been working in bearing the FSC logo can know their purchase supports Madagascar’s history and part Madagascar since the early responsible forestry. of the country’s promise to triple The $20 million agreement is part of 1960s, providing local commu- Since WWF helped found the FSC in 1993, FSC certification the size of its protected areas. Madagascar’s promise to triple the nities with the support neces- size of its protected areas. has had a significant influence on the global forest products WWF pioneered the concept of sary to manage natural industry: More than 250 million resources effectively. The coun- acres of forest are FSC-certified try is considered a living labo- in 79 countries. WWF is working ratory of evolution: nearly 98 collaboratively with other organi- percent of its land mammals, zations to promote FSC as part 92 percent of its reptiles and 80 of our work to combat illegal log- percent of its plants are found ging and promote responsible nowhere else on the planet— forest management around many of them are still not clas- the world. sified by science. Despite its biological splendor, it is threat- You can help! Ask for ened by the ever-growing FSC-certified wood and FSC-US-0113 © Council A.C. Stewardship 1996 Forest needs of an expanding human paper products. population. And with 70 percent of the country’s population liv- ing below the poverty line, it is Getty Award, Continued from page 1 © Martin Harvey/WWF-Canon one of the poorest in the world. Ventures, who nominated Samba, “the Andavadoaka project proved so successful that eight neighboring villages instituted their own protected areas for octopus in order to reap similar ben- efits. The national government of Madagascar in 2005 also used the project as a model to create similar GETTY PRIZE: A LOOK BACK seasonal closures across the country. The project is a “In July 1983, President Ronald Regan personally presented proven example of how economic development can the Getty Prize during an awards ceremony in the White House’s both inspire and benefit from the conservation of nat- Rose Garden. When the president walked out of his office and ural resources.” stepped up to the microphone, he opened the proceedings by The Getty Prize was established in 1974 by the late saying to the large assemblage: ‘Well, first let me welcome you J. Paul Getty. Previous winners have included famed all to the White House. I don’t need to welcome Russell Train of conservationists Sir Peter Scott, pioneering chim- the World Wildlife Fund. Russell’s more at home here than I am. panzee researcher Dr. Jane Goodall and the Charles He served in two administrations, and this is my first.’ Darwin Foundation. “Reagan went on to describe the Getty Prize as the Nobel Prize for conservation.... When he was through, I pinned a “If this prize makes more people © Blue Ventures panda button on his lapel and told him he was now a member Samba speaks to local community of WWF.” concerned about conservation and thus members about saving the region’s marine resources. –From “Politics, Pollution and Pandas: An Environmental makes the world a better place to live in, Memoir” by Russell E. Train, Founder Chairman Emeritus of WWF, who also led the Environmental Protection Agency under then I will be satisfied ” – J Paul Getty 1974 Presidents Nixon and Ford FOCUS NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 • 7

wwf TRAVEL NEW Active Adventures IN 2009 in Wild Places Hike, kayak, trek, swim, snorkel, bike and climb in remote wildlife regions through WWF’s Active Adventures program. These tours are specifically designed for highly energetic travelers seeking to explore some of the world’s most extraordinary destinations for wildlife viewing. WWF still offers a range of wildlife tours across the globe but has added the following more physically demanding trips.

Galápagos Multisport Kayak with cavorting sea lions. Ride mountain bikes across highland terrain. Trek through lava tubes. Swim in tranquil bays. This energizing, land-based tour © Kess/WWF Volker The forests of Tesso Nilo have been threatened by unsustainable logging. offers a variety of activities—and comfortable hotel accommodations. Tesso Nilo and gives the communities a April 10– 20, 2009 © Sandy Draus Continued from page 1 unified and more influential voice in park management. elephants and is home to an “WWF is committed to work- important population of critically ing at all levels—from the field Kilimanjaro Climb endangered Sumatran tigers. to the boardroom—to find Rising majestically above the African plains, 20,000-foot About 60 to 80 elephants and solutions for Sumatra’s people Mt. Kilimanjaro is the world’s highest freestanding moun- 50 tigers are estimated to live and wildlife and the global tain. Join a small group of climbers for a non-technical in Tesso Nilo. environment,” Roberts says. ascent to the top of the dormant volcano. Afterward, opt WWF helped establish and “Here in the United States, we for a classic Serengeti safari extension. still supports the Tesso Nilo are calling on companies to September 7–19, 2009 Thomson Safaris Community Forum, run by all 22 ensure that their purchases of local communities living in the pulp, paper and palm oil do buffer zone of the national park. not contribute to the destruc- Trekking Nepal The forum supports joint actions tion of Sumatra’s forests.” to protect the Tesso Nilo forest On this trek to the Everest region, experience spectacu- lar views of mammoth glaciers and the world’s highest peaks while enjoying the Sherpa people’s hospitality and Fish Sanctuary Opens in Mozambique expertise. You’ll also learn about WWF’s efforts to protect Eighth Zone in Quirimbas National Park this delicate ecosystem. October 11– 30, 2009 © Bayon|Dreamstime.com

Madagascar Multisport Madagascar has some of the world’s greatest numbers of endemic species, including more than 100 island- exclusive mammals. In this pristine tropical wilderness— off most travelers’ radars—you’ll kayak through turquoise waters, take guided forest walks and snorkel in a protected lagoon. November 3–18, 2009 © R.Isotti, A.Cambone-Homo ambiens/WWF-Canon

© WWF With WWF, you’ll journey to the world’s top spots to see spectacular wildlife in its natural environment. You will WWF joined with local community members, officials, community rangers and travel with small groups of like-minded people who share your interest in wildlife and the environment. By trav- Navy personnel at the inauguration of a fish sanctuary in Mozambique’s eling with us, you are supporting WWF’s conservation work around the globe. So, join us on the adventure of Quirimbas National Park. The sanctuary is the eighth marine zone to be a lifetime! designated by local communities since the park was established in 2002. WWF worked with Quirimbas park authorities and representatives of fishing communities to establish the marine zones in an effort to save marine To receive detailed information about these or other trips in WWF Travel’s 2009 lineup—including South resources depleted after years of uncontrolled fishing. WWF continues to work Pacific—please complete and return the form below, or contact us: with a team of community rangers and local fishermen to monitor the impacts Phone: 202-778-9683 or toll-free 888-WWF-TOUR (993-8687) of the sanctuaries. Preliminary results are positive: Both in and around the zones, we’re seeing increases in fish species diversity, quantity and size. Email: [email protected] Visit: worldwildlife.org/travel Financial information about World Wildlife Fund can be obtained by contacting us at 1250 24th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20037, 1-800-960-0993, or as stated below. Colorado: Colorado residents may obtain copies of registration and financial documents from the office of the Secretary of State, (303) 894-2680, http://www.sos.state.co.us/ re: Please send me brochures for the following trips: Reg. No. 20023005803. Florida: SC No. 00294. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION ❏ Galápagos Multisport ❏ Trips to other specific destinations: OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE, WITHIN THE STATE, 1-800-HELP- ❏ FLA. Georgia: A full and fair description of the programs and activities of World Wildlife Kilimanjaro Climb Fund and its financial statement are available upon request at the address indicated above. ❏ Trekking Nepal ______Illinois: Contracts and reports regarding World Wildlife Fund are on file with the Illinois ❏ Attorney General. Maryland: For the cost of postage and copying, documents and Madagascar Multisport information filed under the Maryland charitable organizations laws can be obtained from the Secretary of State, Charitable Division, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401, (800) 825- 4510. Michigan: MICS No. 9377. Mississippi: The official registration and financial ❏ Please add me to your mailing list to receive WWF travel brochures information of World Wildlife Fund may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State's office by calling 1-888-236-6167. New Jersey: INFORMATION FILED WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL CONCERNING THIS CHARITABLE SOLICITATION AND THE PERCENTAGE OF CONTRIBUTIONS RECEIVED BY THE CHARITY DURING THE LAST Name______REPORTING PERIOD THAT WERE DEDICATED TO THE CHARITABLE PURPOSE MAYBE OBTAINED FROM THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY BY CALLING 1-973-504-6215 AND IS AVAILABLE ON THE INTERNET AT Address______www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/charfrm.htm. NewYork: Upon request, a copy of the latest annual report can be obtained from the organization or from the Office of the Attorney General by writing the Charities Bureau, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271. North City______State ______Zip ______Carolina: Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-888-830-4989. Pennsylvania: The official registration and financial information of World Wildlife Fund may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free, within Pennsylvania, 1-800- 732-0999. Virginia: Financial statements are available from the State Office of Consumer Our monthly travel e-newsletter highlights WWF tours throughout the year, including Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218. Washington: The notice of solicitation announcements about new trips and special offers. If you would like to receive the travel e- required by the Charitable Solicitation Act is on file with the Washington Secretary of State, and information relating to financial affairs of World Wildlife Fund is available from the newsletter, please provide your email address: ______, Secretary of State, and the toll-free number for Washington residents: 1-800-332-4483.West or sign up on our website at worldwildlife.org/travel. Virginia: West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, State Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Return to: WWF Travel Program, 1250 24th St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20037-1132 REGISTRATION IN THE ABOVE STATES DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION OF WORLD WILDLIFE FUND BY THE STATE 8 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 FOCUS

Create an Environmental Wish List Join WWF’s Create your wish list for the environment on your personalized Wildlife Panda Page on WWF’s website. Panda Pages are a great way to mark special holidays, honor a loved one or reflect your commit- Rescue Team ment to protecting endangered species and preserving wild places. Play an essential role in Learn more by visiting worldwildlife.org/pandapages assuring that WWF has the immediate resources needed when a wildlife crisis arises. By donating on a monthly basis, you’ll help provide a vital, stable source of funds from which WWF can draw to take action to save wildlife struggling to survive. Call 1-800-960-0993 or visit worldwildlife.org/join to learn more. Year-End Giving © Martin Harvey/WWF-Canon

A gift of securities is twice as nice. You pay no capital gains taxes and may deduct the full fair market value of appreciat- ed stocks or mutual funds held longer than one year. Easily transfer securities from your brokerage account electronically. Simply provide your broker with these delivery instructions: RBC Wealth Management Connect with WWF on DTC Number: 0235 © Martin Harvey/WWF-Canon Account Number: 30005191 Your Social Networking Site Account Name: World Wildlife Fund, Inc. Telephone: 202-408-4517 Connect with WWF on some of your favorite Fax: 202-408-4535 social networking sites. Interact with WWF through our pages on Facebook and MySpace, watch WWF 3 videos on YouTube, and converse with like-minded For more information, check with your financial advisor and activists on our Care2 page. Join the WWF contact WWF toll free at 1-888-993-1100, email Linkedin group and get a badge to add to your [email protected], or visit us on the Web at profile so all your connections see that you support worldwildlife.org/stockgifts. To ensure you receive your WWF. And join WWF on SocialVibe, a new innova- tax receipt and proper credit for your gift, please tive social networking site that lets you pick your let us know your gift is on its way. favorite cause and raise money for it by recruiting friends. Visit worldwildlife.org/socialspot For membership inquiries, please call 1-800-CALL-WWF.

WWF Gift Adoption focus Cards NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2008 • VOLUME 30, NUMBER 6

ant to adopt an Wanimal on behalf of a friend or family member but don’t know their favorite species? Donate to WWF and let them make their own selection with a Gift Adoption Card. They can choose from 80 species available at the $50 level.* In addition to the symbolic adoption, they’ll receive a plush Choose animal, adoption certificate and from four card other tokens of appreciation for being designs! a friend of a generous WWF donor. Tigers At a Tipping Point

Visit worldwildlife.org/giftadoptioncard for details.

*Gift Adoption Cards are available for $50 donations only and the thank-you gift chosen by the recipient must be an animal adoption at the $50 level from our Adoption Center. Actual animal plush availability may vary. The Amur tiger Gift Adoption Card entitles your friend to select a thank-you gift, while supplies last, for a completed $50 dona- © Klein & Hubert/WWF tion in your friend’s honor It is not a gift card or a debit card and does not have any stored or cash value