Species Newsletter of the Species Survival Commission IUCN—The World Conservation Union Number 37, January–June 2002

c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Inside: 351 St. Joseph Blvd. Hull, Quebec K1A 0H3 Canada Global Strategy for Plant Conservation adopted Action Plan Evaluation Results Towards the Biodiversity Commons Lessons Learned in Regionalization Species 37 Message from the Chair Contents 3 Message from the SSC Chair 21 Asian Elephant 21 Bison – North America News and Features 21 Cactus and Succulent This issue of Species marks the halfway point appetite for national and regional Red List activ- 3 A Word from Team Species 22 Conservation Breeding between meetings of the World Conservation ity in many parts of the world, and we need to 4 Launched last December—The Red Book: 22 Cracid Congress. The last meeting of the IUCN Council consider how we can adapt the current Red List The Extinction Crisis Face to Face 23 Equid agreed to intensify the search for a Host Country, Programme to respond to these demands. 4 Global Amphibian Assessment makes with a view to holding the next World The next two years leading up to the Congress rapid progress 24 Iguana Conservation Congress in the last quarter of promise to be busy. We are still working hard to 24 Insectivore 5 Lape Forever – the sustainable use of 2004. The fact that preparations are now begin- have the Species Information Service fully oper- Melanesian Megapode eggs 25 Otter ning for the next Congress is a salutary reminder ational by that time. Additionally, we expect to 5 Global Strategy for Plant Conservation adopted 26 Pheasant for us all to take stock of what we set out to participate in the World Summit on Sustainable 6 New directions for the SSC Network 26 Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos accomplish in this inter-sessional period, and Development later this year and the World Parks how far we are along that road. 6 Invertebrate Specialist Groups 27 Re-introduction Congress in September 2003, all prior to the next World Conservation Congress in 2004. This —a new synergy 28 Seaduck Once again, I must emphasize the importance of 7 Action Plan Evaluation the guidance provided by the SSC Strategic Plan, increased activity demands more attention from 28 Southern African Invertebrates and its utility in providing a framework for inte- the SSC leadership. In addition, as the volun- 8 Greening European Agriculture 28 Sustainable Use grating the work of many individual Specialist tarism study noted, personal and frequent con- 9 Towards the Biodiversity Commons 29 Tapir Groups. Some Specialist Groups have made very tact between members and the SSC Chair is 10 Sustainable Use Specialist Group (SUSG) good use of the Strategic Plan in developing highly valued – as is being —looking at fisheries Communications specific work plans for this period, and for better aware of and includ- 10 Congratulations to our network 30 Communication Notes assessing the contribution of their work to the ed in the affairs of the SSC. I am looking forward to work- 30 Calling all owners of film and photographs wider conservation goals of the Commission and To have time to devote to Special Feature of endangered species—ARKive wants to IUCN. I encourage others who wish to follow the membership, the SSC ing more closely with you, the 11 Lessons Learned in Regionalization hear from you! these examples to do so. Chair needs to have time 11 Response from Sustainable Use 31 Promoting your Species Over the past several months, the SSC E-Bulletin to commit! To this end, as SSC member 12 Response from Tapir 32 Bridging the gap between corporations and has become an important means of improving of May 1, 2002, I have changed position in the Canadian Wildlife 13 Response from Orchid the natural world communication within the network. It provides a Service to have considerably more time to devote 32 Publications ready vehicle for getting summary information to 14 Response from Otter to the work of the SSC. My thanks go to 33 Meeting Announcements a large number of SSC members. Coupled with 15 Response from Pheasant the ssc-members listserv, and the electronic ver- Conservation International for donating the bulk 15 Response from Antelope Technical Information sion of Species, we now have a range of vehicles of the funds necessary to make this possible, and 16 Response from Conservation Breeding that should allow better dissemination of infor- to the Canadian Wildlife Service for their contin- 34 The SSC Steering Committee ued support of the SSC Chair’s office. 16 Final note mation of interest to Commission members. And 34 Voluntarism Study using the electronic version means big savings I have a number of goals for this new era, first 17 Programme Updates for the Commission (the mailing costs for the among them is seeing an increase in funds raised new, lighter, version of Species is still more than for SSC activities through more personal atten- From Specialist Groups 20,000 Swiss francs per issue!). But these tools tion to fundraising. I also expect to respond to 19 African Elephant will only be as effective as your participation the desire for more effective communication 19 African Rhino allows – please register your email address with within the SSC network, and with the greater 20 Arabian Plants Team Species ([email protected]) for the ssc- IUCN family. Most of all, I am looking forward to members listserv and the E-bulletin, and let working more closely with you, the SSC member. them know if you are willing to receive Species electronically. The results of the Study into Voluntarism in the SSC are now posted on the SSC website, and the Executive Committee is continuing to draw on the conclusions of the study as it plans the future development of the network. Species is the newsletter of the Species Survival Commission of IUCN—The World Conservation Union. Responding to concerns raised in the volun- David Brackett—SSC Chair Commission members, in addition to providing leadership for conservation efforts for specific plant and tarism study about connections to other parts of animal groups, contribute technical and scientific counsel to biodiversity conservation projects the SSC and IUCN, the Executive Committee has throughout the world. Commission members also serve as resources to governments, international con- taken up a more in-depth examination of the ventions, and conservation organizations. question of regionalization as an emerging issue. Team Species – Carolina Caceres, Anna Knee, Ling Ling Lee With the increasing importance of the regional Proofreader – Joshua David structure of IUCN itself, and the potential these Layout – Travis Gobeil ([email protected]) structures offer for implementation of conserva- tion actions recommended by the Specialist Cover Photo – a Galapagos daisy-tree (Scalesia villosa), Alan Tye Groups, the Executive Committee felt it was Opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect official views of IUCN/SSC. important to take a closer look at how we can ISSN 1016-927X improve our connections to the IUCN Regional Species is printed on recycled paper. and Country Offices, as well as the regional IUCN membership structures such as National © 2002 IUCN–The World Conservation Union and Regional Committees. There is also a clear 3

Species 37: January–June 2002 News and Features

A Word from Team Species Team Species would like to thank the many SSC positive role that industry, particularly large worldwide. In addition, the Global Amphibian ment plan in 1999, including extending the members who responded to the Commission’s multinational companies, can play. Assessment is a great opportunity to help devel- closed season to three months. Since the intro- membership expertise questionnaire in the last Team Species op the new IUCN/SSC Global Amphibian duction of the new management plan, Simbo issue of Species. Thanks for letting us know who Specialist Group (GASG) which consists of Islanders believe there are now more megapodes you are and allowing us to identify gaps in To order your own copy, contact IUCN Publications regional sections. It is hoped that the process of on the island, although the theft of eggs and pre- the network! Services Unit, 219c Huntingdon Road, Cambridge, CB3 collecting and reviewing data will encourage her- dation of hatchlings by feral cats and dogs 0DL, United Kingdom, Tel: ++44 1223 277894; Fax: Readers will also note our new special feature – petologists to join the Group. remain problems. WWF and the Megapode ++44 1223 277175; Email: [email protected], Lessons Learned in Regionalization. Several SSC Coordination of this project is being provided by Specialist Group are continuing to work with www.iucn.org/bookstore, Cost: $65.00 USD or £45.00 members have identified a need to help the Conservation International/Center for Simbo Islanders to help them address these prob- GBP; IUCN Order No: B1122 Specialist Groups interact and share experiences. Applied Biodiversity Science – IUCN/SSC lems and achieve their stated aim of having To this end, the new “Lessons Learned” section Biodiversity Assessment Unit. The team, consist- "Lape Forever". of Species has been created, with each issue ing of Simon Stuart, Janice Long and Neil Cox, is Ross Sinclair, Megapode Specialist Group examining a different theme identified by the Global Amphibian responsible for program administration and tech- network. This issue looks at the subject of nical support. Significant assistance is being pro- "regionalization" among Specialist Groups. We Assessment makes rapid vided by NatureServe, with Dr. Bruce Young Global Strategy for Plant need your advice on future themes – please send coordinating for the Americas (excluding the your suggestions or questions to Team Species at progress Caribbean Islands) from which over half the [email protected]. amphibian species are known. Conservation adopted The Global Amphibian Assessment (GAA) Team Species Simon Stuart, Coordinator, Conservation In April SSC celebrated the project is progressing rapidly with regional coor- news that the Global dinators now in place for all parts of the world, International/Center for Applied Biodiversity Science – A landmark in the history of IUCN/SSC Biodiversity Assessment Unit Strategy for Plant data collection complete for most regions of the Conservation was adopted Launched last December: Old World, and data collection well underway in the Convention on Biological The Red Book: The Extinction Crisis by the Convention on the Americas. Lape Forever – Biological Diversity (CBD) Diversity Face to Face Initial data have been Conference of the Parties. The Red Book: The Extinction Crisis Face to Face received for about The sustainable use of Melanesian This was a landmark in the history of the CBD, produced by CEMEX, one of the world’s largest half of the world’s Megapode eggs as it was the first time that plant conservation cement companies, in partnership with IUCN- 5,000 amphibian The coup in 1999 and subsequent economic col- issues received such detailed scrutiny by the gov- The World Conservation Union, the largest inter- species and although lapse in the Solomon Islands has resulted in peo- ernments of the world (183 countries are Parties national conservation network and Agrupación it is too early to draw ple there being even more dependent on their to the Convention). It was also the first time that Sierra Madre, a Mexican conservation organiza- an overall picture of natural resources for sustenance and cash. targets, albeit voluntary, have been set to guide tion, is a dramatic new tool to communicate the the results, there are Nowhere is this more true than on Simbo Island, as well as monitor progress by the Convention. issues surrounding extinction and conservation some reasons for con- where local people derive most of their cash Parties noted that countries vary greatly in their to broad audiences. cern. For instance, income from the sale of eggs of the Melanesian wealth of plant diversity and capacity to con- Drawing on the IUCN Red List of Threatened preliminary evidence Megapode (Megapodius eremita), locally called serve this diversity, and felt that accepting glob- Species, the world’s most objective and authori- suggests 28% of Lape. Over 180 000 eggs were harvested in 1998 al targets was useful, allowing their national tative inventory of species at risk of extinction, Africa’s 632 amphib- alone. According to Simbo Islanders, throughout conservation strategy and priorities to feed into the Red Book combines awe-inspiring imagery ian species appear to the 1970s and 1980s the number of birds on the an overall global target. They noted that capaci- with solid science and factual accounts. More be globally threat- island and the harvest of eggs declined ty-building to increase plant conservation was than 100 stunning photographs from some of the ened with extinction. dramatically. Unfortunately, it appears a similar necessary, in order for biodiversity-rich countries most renowned photographers reflect the extra- It is clear that there is fate is befalling almost all nesting fields of to contribute to the targets. a much larger num- colonial-laying megapodes, many of which are ordinary beauty and diversity of the natural world. While all of the 41 countries and regional blocks ber of threatened now abandoned. that spoke about the Strategy welcomed and sup- The IUCN Red List is a powerful scientific device amphibians in Africa Because of their dependence on megapode eggs ported it, the need for additional funding to used by governments, policy makers and NGOs than previously and their concern about the declining harvest, in implement the Strategy was raised. Botanical around the world to stimulate conservation known. In Madagas- the early 1990s Simbo Islanders introduced a Gardens Conservation International offered to action. Although it already plays an important car, where 99% of the David Brackett and Amie Bräutigam, management plan that included a ban on har- second a staff member to the CBD Secretariat for role in conveying the urgency and scale of the species are endemic author, launch The Red Book vesting eggs for two months each year. This plan two years to shepherd through the Strategy and current extinction crisis to the international com- and many new was based on a paucity of data on megapode ensure that action is undertaken. This gracious munity, the Red Book brings the message to a species have been discovered in recent years, the breeding biology and the harvest continued to offer was warmly greeted by CBD Parties, and broader audience. It describes the extinction tiny, beautiful Mantella frogs - the jewels of the decline throughout the 1990s. In 1997 the Simbo opened up a new phase of private and govern- process, its causes, and the measures needed to rainforest floor - are especially threatened by a reverse it, in terms accessible to everyone. The Island Megapode Management Committee mental collaboration. combination of habitat loss and over-collecting. formed a partnership with WWF Solomon book provides a snapshot of the Red List, how it However, it is clear that increased financial Several important steps need to be taken over the Islands and the SSC Megapode Specialist Group is compiled, and offers unique insight into a resources to implement the Strategy are needed. next few months. These include: to conduct research into ways to better manage selection of species included, together with the If the Strategy is to reach its targets by 2010, harvests of megapode eggs. The use of hatch- actions needed to save them. Completing the data collection, organizing the every country will need to contribute whatever eries and extending the closed season were More than an awareness-raising tool, The Red data, incorporating information on trade and use resources possible to promote plant conserva- tested, among other measures, over 18 months Book is a call for action to all sectors of society of amphibians into the database and resolving tion. It was also noted that the link between of participatory research. One interesting result from industry to governments to educators, to the taxonomic issues. The Assessment is intend- poverty alleviation and rural livelihoods with the was learning the mean incubation period of eggs work together to save biological diversity. By ed to be the start of an ongoing process to imple- conservation of plant diversity is essential, and is longer than the closed season! As a result, the 4 joining forces with IUCN, CEMEX is showing the ment long-term monitoring of amphibians should be supported by donors. 5 Simbo Island community revised its manage-

Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Many Parties also commended the development fishing gear; an improvement of fish monitoring Furthermore, although the members may share that many of our problems are shared and we of the regional European Plant Conservation methods; a need to address the mariculture common interests in the taxon concerned, and need to address them collectively. Strategy, and recommended that other regional issue; production of a briefing on vulnerable life have similar goals in terms of its conservation, Dai Herbert, Mollusc Specialist Group, Southern plant Strategies are undertaken. Africa is partic- histories for fisheries; closer working relations they may in fact be operating under widely dif- African Invertebrates Specialist Group ularly interested in producing a draft strategy in with the SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group; fering regional/national paradigms. Indeed, in time for the World Summit on Sustainable addressing threats to spawning aggregation; many respects, Specialist Group members from First printed in Tentacle, No. 10, January 2002. Development, to be held in Johannesburg in compilation of case studies on non-consumptive one region working on different taxa may have a September 2002. uses of live marine resources; and identification lot more in common with their regional col- In welcoming the adoption of the Global Plant and assessment of marine "hotspots". leagues belonging to other Groups than might at Action Plan Evaluation first be apparent. Shared issues may, for exam- Conservation Strategy, SSC recognizes the daily The invertebrate work- The Species Survival Commission has been ple, include: dependence of many of the world’s people on shop aimed to devel- publishing Action Plans under the auspices of plants. Sustainable use, capacity-building, edu- op a strategy for Inadequate institutional support for biodiversity IUCN since 1986 and more than 60 plans have cation and awareness, increased networking, enhancing IUCN's research been published in what is now a well-established and community involvement are vital elements input to global inver- Declining human capacity within the fundamental bio- series. SSC commissioned an evaluation of its of the Strategy if it is to achieve lasting results on tebrate conservation diversity research sector Action Plan Programme to examine the amount the ground. The SSC Plant Conservation through the SSC’s Insufficient collaboration between the research and of real conservation action that they may stimu- Committee stands ready to continue contributing invertebrate network. conservation sectors late. An earlier, unpublished phase of this work to its future development and implementation. Participants noted sought to assess the implementation of recom- Low profile of (for instance) invertebrate conserva- Team Species that problems facing mendations outlined in six (equids, lagomorphs, invertebrate survival tion otters, crocodiles, cetaceans and canids) Action into the future need Lack of regional coordination to facilitate joint funding Plans. Four complete responses reported on the New directions for the bringing to the fore, proposals and larger-scale collaborative projects progress of 284 recommendations, 18% of which especially threats Issues like these may have a profound effect on were considered complete, 50% ongoing and posed by invasive the rate at which our knowledge and under- 32% not started. A lack of resources (funds SSC Network alien species, habitat standing of biodiversity grows and on our ability and/or personnel) was the reason that nearly Adoption of the SSC Strategic Plan 2001-2010, destruction, loss of to meet IUCN and SSC objectives. This is partic- half had not been started, and political sensitivity with its ambitious targets, brought into sharp pollinators, and Sarah Fowler and Alison Rosser work ularly true for the "other 99%", with which both accounted for a further 17%. The majority of focus some existing gaps within the current SSC exploitation in its var- the Mollusc and Southern African Invertebrates implemented actions were either research or eco- network. In particular, marine and invertebrate ious forms. An urgent to identify marine priorities for SSC Specialist Groups are concerned. logical management. need to enhance the species are under-represented, yet are integral to Although there may be global trends regarding Five of the above-named plans Action Plan were taxonomic base for dealing with these problems achieving the Commission’s targets. For conservation issues, much of the related decision evaluated on four principal areas: Specialist was recognized, as was the importance of net- instance, although the number of Specialist making is done at a national level and thus reme- Group planning and process; SSC Secretariat working to address problems. One immediate Groups addressing either strictly marine or dial action is best targeted at that level. management; product quality and distribution; result of the meeting was the creation of the marine/freshwater taxa is slowly growing, most Collectively, members of a region-based group and implementation of priority projects. South Asian Invertebrate Specialist Group, co- of the world’s marine biodiversity is still not cov- stand a far better chance of making their con- chaired by Dr. B.A. Daniel and Dr T. N. ered by an SSC Specialist Group or incorporated cerns heard. Also, with members based in rela- Specialist Group planning and process: Ananthakrishnan. in SSC’s suite of marine activities. Similarly, tively close proximity to each other, Groups The detailed rationale for Action Plans varies invertebrates represent the vast majority of the Team Species should be able to meet more regularly. among Specialist Groups because of differing planet’s biodiversity and comprise over 95% of perceptions of the target audiences (i.e. who will all described species, yet there are only six inver- The Southern African Invertebrates Specialist Group promises to add a new dimension to the act on the recommendations). This materially tebrate Specialist Groups. Further, one of the Invertebrate Specialist affects the content of the plans. In addition, the major challenges of the IUCN Red List is the gen- growing interest in invertebrate research in southern Africa, and invertebrate conservation is voluntary nature of the Groups means that there erally poor representation of marine and inverte- Groups is a trade-off between compiling plans quickly brate organisms. likely to benefit considerably through the focus A new synergy and leadership provided by the Group. I believe and being inclusive of all information and In response, the SSC held two scoping work- expertise. For the most part, IUCN/SSC Specialist Groups that this Group will be of considerable assistance shops: a marine program-planning meeting, con- have been taxon-based. However, recent think- to the Mollusc Specialist Group, through its vened by the Ocean Conservancy, and an Management by SSC Secretariat: ing has put the concept of region-based groups enhanced ability to address many of the issues invertebrate strategic planning workshop, facili- on the table. One such group has now come into that are currently impacting negatively on our The number of plans being dealt with by the tated by Onnie Byers of the Conservation being, the Southern African Invertebrates capacity to identify molluscan conservation pri- Secretariat has increased dramatically in the last Breeding Specialist Group. Specialist Group. Some concern has been orities in the southern African region. 10 years, leading to problems in processing them effectively and finding funds for them. The cur- During the marine program-planning meeting, expressed that these regional groups may in fact There are precious few committed invertebrate targets and priorities for marine biodiversity con- duplicate some of the activities of taxon-based rent process seems unsustainable, especially as conservationists around and we need to capi- SSC Programme Officers are required for other servation were identified. Targets covered four groups where there is overlap with existing talize on the synergy of collaboration. If we main issues (use and exploitation of marine Groups, or worse still, compete with them. A activities and the reliance on interns is high. team up, we may have sufficient critical mass Clearer guidelines on how Action Plans should resources; habitat loss and degradation; invasive possible example exists in the case of the to achieve substantially more in the local con- species; and climate change), and tools to help Mollusc Specialist Group and the Southern be compiled may help address some of these text than any of us could do individually. At the issues. meet these targets were outlined. There was African Invertebrates Specialist Group. same time, a number of groups not represented strong consensus on the need for a paper While I do not wish to detract from the impor- by Specialist Groups will also be brought into explaining why and how fishing pressure can Product quality and distribution: tance of taxon-based Groups, they can be frag- the fold. It matters not whether one is drive species to extinction. Other top priorities Action Plans are only useful if they are credible. mented entities with members dotted around the specifically interested in dragonflies, milli- 6 included an analysis of damaging, non-selective Credibility is built on confidence in the informa- 7 globe and not able to meet on a regular basis. pedes, molluscs or whatever else, the fact is

Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 tion provided and ability to access that informa- Therefore, SSC should adapt the current Action ly ad hoc. Not only were the benefits largely domain" recognizes there is broad social value to tion. Broadly speaking, Action Plans are Planning Programme by addressing the issues unmeasured but the value for money and the placing information in a public commons for acknowledged as being sources of sound biolog- identified in this evaluation including sustainability scarcely considered. If the impor- free, general use by all (including commercial uses). ical information. In contrast, however, distribu- identification of and collaboration with target tance of these schemes was going to grow and An "information commons" defines a communi- tion of the plans is weak, both in terms of the audiences. SSC needs a clearer idea of exactly the ambit of the CAP, however reformed, to ty of use and guarantees free unhindered access limited target audiences they reach and in deter- who the target audiences are so that the recom- extend to 10 new member states via enlargement to data and information for that community mining who the key people are in each organiza- mendations can be framed appropriately and to then some rational system of targeting the avail- within a defined information space. Such a com- tion/agency. Therefore, distribution strategies of ensure that the plans reach those most able to able funds was highly desirable. The idea of an mons is composed of public domain data and Plans should receive much more attention. act. This evaluation has identified some audi- analytical framework for programs designed to information as well as otherwise protected infor- ences that believe strongly in the SSC Action improve the conservation of biodiversity and mation that is made openly available and that Implementation of Action Plan priorities: Plans and it would seem desirable to build part- landscape in agricultural systems was seen as a limits the full exercise of intellectual property Action Plans are intended to focus attention on nerships with them both to provide additional potential way of moving towards such a rational rights by rights holders. Producers of information urgently needed conservation measures and resources, as well as valuable input in develop- system. Fundamental to it is the conviction that may assign rights to such a commons while encourage action to take place. The Action Plans ing recommendations. Also, guidance on plan you have to examine each level of operation - maintaining traditional controls over their intel- evaluated here appear particularly successful development and content, in particular for rec- field, farm, agricultural system - and that each lectual property rights in the larger, international and the Specialist Groups have pursued the rec- ommendations, is needed. The key elements to must be considered in relation to ecological, eco- commercial market domain. This is sometimes ommendations actively. Outside the Specialist include in guidelines would be related to clarity nomic and social factors. described as a "conditional" (or even "impure") Groups, uptake is variable, with little promotion and comprehensiveness of recommendations; In phase 1 the team has looked at the perform- domain of use. within IUCN and to external audiences. This may and a clear support strategy for the implementa- ance of environmental functions, related to bio- Such an open system will be partly due to differing perceptions of what tion of the recommendations. diversity and landscape conservation, in two have several favorable Action Plans are versus what they should be. Phil McGowan, World Pheasant Association agricultural systems in each of the seven coun- consequences. Offering Offering access to a diversity However, there is no doubt that some agencies tries taking part to test the theoretical frame- convenient access to a outside IUCN find them very useful and this work. In phase 2 the emphasis will shift to diversity of scientific opin- of opinions should foster demonstrates their potential effectiveness. Greening European economic and social features in the study areas, ions should foster new conservation progress There has been a considerable amount of activi- as well as a study of the special factors involved analysis and progress in ty in pursuit of Action Plan recommendations, Agriculture in enlargement and the alternatives of regulation conservation. For example, and this has involved individuals from govern- versus incentives. In phase 3 there will be trials the notion of biodiversity hotspots may be sub- ment research and management agencies, uni- A team of IUCN scientists has just completed the of the instruments devised involving local farm- ject to renewed debate and/or revision by the versities and non-governmental organizations. first year of a ¤ 2.2 million (US$1.9 million) ers and administrators. If a workable framework provision of new and more extensive data and The plans are seen as valu- European Union research project (AEMBAC) does emerge and is adopted as policy – and information. The Commons should also help to able resources by stake- designed to make European agriculture more rational policy in this area is a rare bird indeed – close the North/South information divide. One Do Action Plans play a role in? holders as diverse as favorable to biodiversity and landscape conser- then we might have cause to celebrate. Reports important characteristic of electronic information multilateral environmental vation. Coordinated by SSC’s European and more details can be found at is that its distribution, once the infrastructure is conservation? agreements (CITES and Sustainable Use Specialist Group (ESUSG) and www.aembac.org built, has almost no cost, and thus a number of the International Whaling administered by the Regional Office for Europe Robin Sharp CB, European Sustainable Use Specialist colleagues can have simultaneously access to Commission), non-govern- (IUCN-RofE), partner institutions in seven coun- Group Chair data which has in the past been inaccessible. mental organizations (Wildlife Conservation tries are working to produce a scientifically No single institution or individual has the com- Society, WWF-US and the People’s Trust for based decision-making framework for the devel- plete data sets on biodiversity. Thus by providing Endangered Species) and other parts of IUCN opment of agri-environmental schemes under a more complete "sample" (the added value of (Protected Areas Programme). It is difficult to which the EU, national, and regional authorities Towards the Biodiversity the Commons approach), the case of conserva- specify the degree to which conservation actions pay farmers to adopt more environmentally sus- tion is served. Moreover, the more data is acces- have taken place solely because of publication of tainable practices. During the last year the proj- Commons sible, the more it will be used and gaps in the Action Plans. An appropriate question would be ect partners have been analyzing the significant A huge amount of information has accumulated currently available "sample" will be more readi- “Do Action Plans play an important role in the environmental functions performed by 15 agri- over the last few centuries in museum or univer- ly identifiable. This should spur the production conservation process?” The results of this evalu- cultural ecosystem pilot areas in the countries sity collections, in printed media and more of more data, such as from the systematics com- ation would indicate that the answer is yes. involved: Germany, Italy, Estonia, Hungary, the recently in digital databases. Much of this infor- munity. Practically, the SSC Social Insect There are three options facing the SSC with Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland. "If the EU mation is not generally available, either because is enlarged as projected and agricultural support Specialist Group is trying to implement the regards to the future of Action Planning, namely: of proprietary restrictions or because of lack of Biodiversity Commons idea by developing a pub- continuing the current process; stopping publica- is shifted towards buying environmental goods, coherent organization or management. BCIS (the it is vital that taxpayers’ money is well-targeted. lic domain knowledge-base for social insects tion; and adapting the current process. Biodiversity Conservation Information System) is (antbase.org). We encourage the conservation Continuing with the current process does not We believe our research will assist this objec- advocating the creation of a global "Biodiversity tive," says Dr Riccardo Simoncini, who coordi- and scientific community to support the appear feasible, partly because of SSC Secretariat Commons", to create a free, persistent and stable Biodiversity Commons. resource constraints, but also because it is clear nates ESUSG’s Agricultural Working Group with information environment (on the Web) for biodi- Donat Agosti and Tom Moritz, Social Insects Specialist that a single document cannot satisfy all of the Visi Garcia, and is the project’s Scientific versity information and data. Coordinator. Group conservation information needs of all target The past decade has seen information increas- audiences. Discontinuing production of Action The project began with an acknowledgment by ingly being treated as a commodity and subject Plans may result in reduced conservation action the European Commission that the agri-environ- to new proprietary restrictions. Even organiza- as the combination of an Action Plan, an active mental schemes supported by the Common tions that do not seek direct profit from informa- Specialist Group and the IUCN and SSC ‘seal of Agricultural policy (CAP) and implemented by tion are often hesitant to make their data and approval’ is a strong force for conservation. member states during the 1990s were complete- information freely available for fear that they will 8 be taken advantage of. The notion of the "public 9

Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Special Feature Sustainable Use Specialist Group (SUSG) – looking at fisheries Lessons Learned in Regionalization South Asia SUSG: Goa Fisheries Workshop the management of Mediterranean and Black Sea The SSC Medicinal Plant Specialist Group has truthed knowledge of the social and biological Fisheries), a scientific paper on by-catch from a begun to establish regional sub-groups because factors affecting the sustainable use of wild liv- The South Asia SUSG held a fisheries workshop perspective of sustainable use, and a substantive we believe this change in our current structure ing renewable resources. The reason for this that brought together experts from a number of response to the Commission's Green Paper on (executive/general membership) will enable us 'bottom-up' approach was that it was considered government fisheries/marine agencies, non-gov- The Common Fisheries Policy after 2002. For to more effectively animate a large and widely that the necessary social and economic context ernmental organizations, and the fisheries those without access to the Internet, a full list is distributed membership around regional issues for assessing ecological sustainability was the trade/export sector. The workshop, held in Goa, available from [email protected]. and priorities. regional level. Therefore, the processes that India, was characterized by open dialogue and Despina Symons, Fisheries Working Group We will benefit from the lessons other Groups established SUSG place it apart from convention- knowledge sharing and was the first time such al Specialist Groups. individuals had been brought together to discuss Coordinator and Robin Sharp CB, European SUSG have learned (what has and has not worked fisheries and marine issues. Participants pro- Chair well) related to the structure and logistics of sub- Today, SUSG comprises 17 decentralized net- posed several recommendations relating to groups, for example: works of Regional SUSGs (RSUSGs) which ana- inland freshwater, riverine and estuarine How have Specialist Group management struc- lyze and compare local use systems through case fisheries and marine fisheries. One recommenda- Congratulations to our tures been altered to accommodate sub-groups; studies, regional reviews, workshops, and sym- tion called for the establishment of a ‘South Asia How have membership and program responsibil- posia. The key lessons described herein are Sustainable Fisheries Network’ (SASFIN) for the network ities been divided between the Group and the offered in the hope that they will be useful to exchange of information on species of interest to sub-groups; How has communication been man- other Specialist Groups which may be consider- more than one country and to initiate trans- Dr. Georgina Mace, OBE, of the Zoological aged between Group/subgroups/other partners; ing regionalizing their network. boundary (collaborative or complementary) Society of London and Chair of the Red List Are there alternative structures, other than SUSG adopts a regional approach because each research projects. The recommendations stem- Committee has been elected to the Fellowship of regional sub-groups, that have been effective in region has different priorities and agendas. It is ming from the workshop will guide the South the Royal Society. Dr. Mace is recognized for her achieving the program goals of the Group? only through decentralization that the SUSG can Asia SUSG’s activities vis à vis sustainable leading role in the field of assessment and man- fully hope to identify regionally-grounded infor- agement of threatened species. We would also be interested in any comments fisheries management. Visit the SUSG website around the establishment of various levels mation and knowledge. RSUSGs can also operate http://iucn.org/themes/ssc/susg/ to view the rec- John Mauremootoo of the Mauritian Wildlife of Group membership, such as types of sub- at speeds commensurate with their capacity ommendations, or request a copy of the SUSG Foundation, and member of the SSC Indian groups or committees, and their advantages and (membership and financial base, for example) as newsletter from [email protected]. Ocean Island Plant Specialist Group has won the disadvantages. opposed to being led by energetic groups which Whitley Award for International Nature may lead to dysfunction such as over-stretching Ashis Banerjee, South Asia Sustainable Use Specialist Danna Leaman, Medicinal Plant Specialist Group Conservation. The award is in recognition of his of resources. Synthesizing results and lessons Group Chair Chair relentless work in spearheading community ini- learned across regions is extremely complex and ESUSG Fisheries Working Group tiatives to restore the fast-disappearing native requires themes and concrete activities/outputs forests of the Island of Rodrigues, Mauritius. to focus and sharpen activities. Interaction The Fisheries Working Group (FWG) was estab- María Elena Zaccagnini, Vice-Chair of the SSC Response from the with IUCN Regional and Country Offices is lished in December 1997 as one of the thematic essential. Collaboration on activities can be working groups of the European Sustainable Use Sustainable Use Specialist Group (SUSG) and Chair of the South America - Southern Cone Sustainable Use Specialist explored and duplication of efforts is minimized Specialist Group (ESUSG). The FWG includes through communication. over 30 eminent fisheries and marine experts SUSG, was presented with a Francisco de Asis from 24 countries in the Pan-European region Award by the Natural Science Society of the Group Argentine Litoral (a region in Argentina). Every Programme who come together on a voluntary basis. Its The SSC Sustainable Use Specialist Group year a small number of Francisco de Asis Awards Pursuing a decentralized regional approach does membership includes a range of disciplines and (SUSG) was established in 1994/5 following are presented to Argentinian scientists and jour- create significant challenges. The ability to gath- activities—fisheries scientists, academics, man- IUCN’s General Assembly in Buenos Aires. At nalists who make important contributions to er information and knowledge that is based on agers, politicians, representatives of fishermen's the General Assembly, the Guidelines for the nature conservation. regional experiences is certainly a great strength organizations and the fishing industry. Ecological Sustainability of Non-consumptive of the SUSG network. However, decentralization So far the main work has been to analyze exist- Chair of the Conservation Breeding Specialist and Consumptive Uses of Wild Species, produced Group (CBSG), Dr. Ulysses Seal, has been hon- can also result in a tendency to under-emphasize ing fisheries management regimes in Europe. by SUSG’s predeces- the other major benefit of operating via a region- This includes some global concerns related to ored with the American Association of Zoo sor, the Specialist Veterinarians (AAZV) Duane Ullrey Lifetime al network: the capacity to consolidate and com- fisheries management from the European Group on Sustainable pare knowledge and information across regions, perspective, to assess the sustainability aspects Achievement and Contribution to the AAZV Use of Wild Species, award. Members of the AAZV community have generating syntheses and recommendations at and to provide advice both to policy makers were rejected as the global level. played an instrumental role in the wildlife work unworkable. As a in Europe and to the various components of The new SUSG Programme Framework adopted IUCN, especially its Marine Programme. of Dr. Seal for more than 30 years. The award is result, a Task Force intended for non-veterinarian scientists. established by the at the beginning of 2002 seeks to address this Furthermore, the group is a useful forum for imbalance by providing a clear sense of the bringing together experts from the EU and the Professor Michael Samways, Chair of the Director General and IUCN/SSC Southern African Invertebrate SSC Chair recom- themes and activities that the RSUSGs will work non-EU members states to discuss upcoming on collectively. This will strengthen links issues in an informal setting. Specialist Group and Director of South Africa's mended a new start via a regional struc- between RSUSGs and enable coordinated Recently, several papers of the FWG were placed Invertebrate Conservation Research Centre, has ture. With substantial fundraising approaches focusing on selected on the SUSG website: http://iucn.org/themes/ been awarded the National Research financial and staff products for delivery at specific venues. The ssc/susg/. The papers collected represent some of Foundation's (South Africa) highest accolade, an support, SUSG Programme Framework also provides a basis for the Working Group output between 1999, when 'A-rating'. Michael's work has been primarily on became a more strengthening relationships between the RSUSGs the overall strategy and working methods were insect ecology and conservation, especially in regionally-based, and the IUCN RCOs around specific projects. established, and 2001. They include the FWG sub-tropical and tropical systems. decentralized group, This should help to build collaboration, foster Strategy Plan, two regional surveys (assessing providing ground- connections with regional IUCN members, and 10 the management of the Baltic Sea Fisheries and avoid competition. Each region has different priorities 11

Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Response from the Orchid Specialist Group The SUSG Programme comprises two layers: the status of sustainable use. Collaboration on and the languages involved with each species When Dr. Phillip Cribb (Royal Botanic Gardens, regional and global. At the regional level, activi- specific projects and knowledge-sharing is likely and would be aware of the problems and priori- Kew) became Chair of the Orchid Specialist ties are ever-changing as they stem from evolv- to increase with the implementation of the new ties in their areas. Group (OSG), his vision was for a more effective ing regionally-specific priorities and agendas. At SUSG Programme Framework. The primary responsibilities of the Species Group through a process of restructuring. In the global level regional efforts are focused and Coordinators focus on maintaining current infor- 1999, the OSG Plenary Meeting passed a motion brought together. For example, a fisheries work- Governance mation on the status of the species, current con- to form several regional subcommittees and shop coordinated by the South Asia SUSG is an Each RSUSG decides its own membership, lead- servation efforts, past and current research, cross-cutting thematic committees. Since then, example of a regional activity where an event is ership, activities, and priorities within a gover- including a directory of researchers, and devel- regional groups have been formed and three the- convened to facilitate interaction between parties nance framework adopted by the SUSG Steering oping a list of research needs for the species. matic committees have developed for in situ and that have an interest in sustainable fisheries Committee. The Steering Committee is chaired Secondary are communication, networking and ex situ conservation, and education. management. At the global level, an SUSG-wide by the SUSG Chair, and comprises the Chairs of promotional aspects towards tapir conservation. sustainable fisheries network will build on the the RSUSGs, the SSC Chair (ex-officio), a senior Finding an appropriate leader It is hoped that the Coordinators will help to work undertaken by the regional groups and staff representative from IUCN, and up to two co- Each regional and thematic committee must establish a system of Coordinators for each tapir create partnerships whilst still maintaining opted members. The roles and responsibilities of have a committed and driven leader prepared to range country. regional diversity. the RSUSG Chairs are similar to those of the devote time and energy to the Group. Two countries are already well advanced in this Whilst the revised Programme Framework SUSG Chair. RSUSG Chairs also maintain updat- Nominating a person to take on such a role is not process. The Colombian Tapir Network was reflects the continuing commitment and enthusi- ed membership lists. Often, an RSUSG Chair will always the most effective formed to share information in Spanish about asm of the SUSG membership, the resources be supported administratively by a volunteer in approach, since for many tapir ecology and conservation projects in available to SUSG for undertaking these activities that region. RSUSG Chairs report to the SSC people, turning down such Regional and thematic groups Colombia; promote the study and conservation are far reduced in comparison to the early days. Chair through the SUSG Chair. an offer may be more of tapirs; and, discuss policies concerning tapirs As a result, it remains to be seen to what extent An Executive Committee comprising the SUSG difficult than admitting are central to the Orchid in their country. Mexican researchers created the SUSG may have to re-orient its structure for it to Chair, three members of the Steering Committee that they do not have the Mexican Committee for Tapir Conservation and Specialist Group’s success remain IUCN's main vehicle for promoting (elected by the Steering Committee), the SSC time or resources to meet Recovery. The Committee’s goals are to become understanding of sustainable use. Chair and senior representative of the IUCN expectations. Therefore, a an official consultant for national and interna- Secretariat conducts business and assumes the timely and cautious approach is required, where- tional institutions and professionals related to Communication powers of the Steering Committee, including by given time, the natural leader of such a group conservation, management and research on An official SUSG website is the main vehicle for financial decisions, between meetings of the emerges. This approach means that not all the tapirs and their habitat in Mexico, to suggest and communicating the work of the SUSG to others. Steering Committee. committees the Group aspires to form were set promote actions and policies for the conserva- Each RSUSG has its own web page within this up immediately, but in the long-term, it leads to Working Groups or Advisory Committees are tion and recovery of Mexican tapir populations, site, thus helping to emphasize the regional a situation where a successful committee and a established to develop specific products and and to facilitate communication among people nature of the network. A sustainable program are more likely to result. activities. The Technical Advisory Committee for and institutions interested in tapir conservation quarterly newsletter con- example, was established to develop an Analytic in Mexico. In the near future, Species Subcommittee Chairs The SUSG comprises two layers: tains many articles that Framework to be used to guide assessments or Coordinators, country Specialist Groups and Terms of reference (TOR) presenting clear guide- first appear on the website. particular uses. It is likely working groups will be country representatives will be involved in the lines regarding responsibilities and expectations regional and global RSUSGs regularly con- used in overseeing the development of global process of reviewing and updating the Tapir form the basis of an agreement between the tribute news items. themes and activities as the SUSG Programme Action Plan. Group Chair and subcommittee Chair. The sub- An SUSG listserv for Steering Committee mem- Framework is implemented. Patrícia Medici, Tapir Specialist Group Chair committee Chair may choose to appoint a Co- bers and selected others is used frequently for David Beamont, Sustainable Use Team Chair and/or Secretary. They may share their governance and management purposes and to duties with the Co-Chair or Secretary, and may conduct Steering Committee business. RSUSGs delegate duties to other members of the group. will be offered their own listserv now that SSC is However, they remain fully responsible for deci- offering this service to Specialist Groups. Response from the Tapir sion-making, overall coordination of the group, Cultural differences and access to reliable elec- and for maintaining contact with the Orchid tronic connections and phonelines (including Specialist Group Specialist Group Chair and Secretariat. cost) will dictate to what extent these regional The Tapir Specialist Group has gone through listservs are used. In most regions outside North several structural changes during the last two Membership America and Europe, virtual communications years. Its membership has increased to 71 pro- If a regional or thematic group Chair wishes to mechanisms such as listservs are difficult to sus- fessionals from 22 countries (South, Central and recruit a new member, they must first receive an tain and face-to-face contact is essential. North America, Asia, and Europe) all with varied official invitation from the Orchid Specialist Currently, inter-Specialist Group communication backgrounds and expertise. In an effort to create Group Chair and register as a member of the occurs infrequently. Interaction with taxonomic a stronger organization, we appointed officers SSC. Membership continues to be controlled by groups is generally limited to groups which con- and created committees based on the group’s the central Group Secretariat. Regional group sider sustainable use to be a viable conservation needs. These are an Evolutionary Consultant, members do not have to reside within the desig- option or groups that deal specifically with Newsletter Editors, Veterinary Support Comm- nated region. Many specialists reside in one area species in use (such as Medicinal Plants). ittee, Zoo Liaison Committee, Red List Authority and work on the orchid flora of another region. Interaction among RSUSGs has occurred, with and Committee, and Fundraising Committee. In this case, the regional group Chair would examples such as the African RSUSGs’ conven- In addition, Species Coordinators were appointed invite the specialist to participate in their region- ing of two Pan African Symposia on Sustainable for each of the four tapir species. These positions al group. Members are encouraged to join more Use and Conservation of Natural Resources, and were created primarily to distribute the work- than one regional or thematic group if they have exchanges among the Latin American RSUSGs in load. The main idea behind these appointments the appropriate expertise, thereby improving net- developing regional overview papers examining was that the coordinators would know the region working within the Group. 12 13

Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Response from Pheasant Response from the Specialist Group Antelope Specialist Group Funding English speaking Continental Coordinator is Since its foundation in 1993, the Pheasant The end of the 1997-2000 Triennium offered a assisted by a Regional Representative for the Specialist Group has been run principally by the good opportunity to restructure the Antelope The main limitation to the success of subcom- African French speaking countries. In Latin Chair, with advice and assistance mainly coming Specialist Group to make it more effective. We mittees has been a lack of financial support. America, where the situation of the four otter from members of the UK-based Chair’s Advisory wanted to reorganize on the basis of geographi- Firstly, funding is needed for the continued oper- species varies significantly, Species Committee, appointed by the Chair. The Group is cal regions, each to be headed by a Vice-Chair or ation of the Group Secretariat, which is currently Representatives support the Continental best described as a "voluntary self-help net- two. It was not a new idea – Southern Africa has run on a voluntary basis, to provide subcommit- Coordinator. Europe has a well-developed infra- work" and is typical of SSC Specialist Groups in been treated as a sub-region for the last decade tees with the necessary support. Secondly, direct structure of individuals and organizations this respect – relatively few have either substan- and there has been a de-facto Asian antelope funding and resources are required for subcom- involved in otter conservation so that, for most tial funds or paid staff. However, we differ from sub-group headed by David Mallon who, to his mittees to be able to function in a professional countries, National Representatives have been many other Specialist Groups in having our everlasting credit, took on the task of producing and consistent manner. appointed. These Representatives are the contact executive function centered in a country (UK) the Antelope Survey Part 4. In addition to the Voluntarism points for the Affiliated Members of OSG and for which is outside the native range of our species regional sub-groups, we decided that sub-groups other relevant people or institutions. (principally Asia), which is clearly a less than could be taxonomically based. A further limiting factor to the success of the ideal situation. restructured Orchid Specialist Group is its In addition, a special group of Appointed The responsibilities of the Vice-Chairs include dependency on volunteers. If the Group is to Members has been created to handle specific A major aspect of the Pheasant Specialist inviting people to become Group members by meet its goals, professional staff are required. tasks for the group (such as editing the Bulletin, Group’s routine operation is the peer-review of inviting them to the sub-group. While there is no The Group is increasing rapidly in size and is or heading a task force). Also, under certain con- project proposals submitted by members and restriction on the number of people who can be broadening its activities through the subcommit- ditions, non-specialists can also join the group as others for endorsement by the Group. According invited, choosing members who have specialist tees. This large-scale approach cannot continue Supporting Members. to a recent audit of our activities, this is an area knowledge of, and a strong interest in antelope to be managed on a voluntary basis. Most active Currently the Group has over 110 members. To in which we are exceeding SSC’s expectations, conservation, and who are prepared to actively members are professionals who deserve to be keep the balance between a high level of expert- but we have identified a number of other areas contribute should keep the sub-group to a work- paid for their time. ise and a sufficient regional representation, a in which our performance is less than adequate able size. Also, Vice-Chairs should ensure the maximum of 150 members seems to be ade- (see page 26). The current operation of the sub-group contributes, where possible and Conclusion: quate. Yet to handle the bureaucratic demands of Group, together with a great increase in activity, appropriate, to the main aims of the Antelope Has restructuring been successful? the SSC and of the Group members, this number has made the Chair’s workload unsustainable. Specialist Group. Since the Vice-Chair positions From now on, much greater use needs to be are voluntary, like all other positions within the The regional and thematic groups are now con- is already too high, especially for a volunteer made of the expertise and commitment of Group Group, how much each Vice-Chair can con- sidered central to the success of the Orchid Chair. Fortunately the German Association for members worldwide, and especially in Asian tribute will be limited to what can be fitted in Specialist Group. By acting as catalysts for activ- Otter Conservation (Aktion Fischotterschutz) countries rich in pheasants. around his/her other commitments. Note the ities at a local and thematic level, similar chal- supports the Group by providing an assistant to phrase "where possible and appropriate" above! lenges and experiences can be shared, members the Chair who can manage the simple, but time Particularly with respect to endorsing projects, Those who accept Vice-Chair positions will be can meet on a regular basis, links can be formed consuming, tasks such as updating the member- three new roles are proposed to increase the left to decide to what extent they can feasibly be with other organizations that have associated ship database or answering general questions. involvement of Pheasant Specialist Group mem- involved in the Antelope Specialist Group. Our interests, and local government can be more However, a tremendous amount of time and bers worldwide in its routine activities. Firstly, thanks go to the many members who have con- effectively influenced. effort is needed to ensure that the network is experienced and local Project Advisors may sented to act as Vice-Chairs. While the subcommittees are encouraged to functioning and communicating. The OSG be identified by the Richard Estes, Antelope Specialist Group Chair become largely autonomous within the overall Bulletin (published twice a year) and an e-mail Chair to assist people umbrella of the Specialist Group, a permanent listserv (an internal listserv for members and First printed in Gnusletter, Vol. 20, No. 1. with less experience paid Secretariat is needed to provide the neces- various continentally based open listservs) are in project planning, sary support. Direct funding is also required for the main communication tools for the Otter implementation or regional and thematic group offices. Funding is Specialist Group. A website is under construc- reporting. Secondly, now the key issue for the continued success of tion. Another important contribution is the fre- the Chair will routine- the restructured Orchid Specialist Group. quent regional workshops, especially the International Otter Colloquium that takes place ly request confiden- Shelagh Kell, Executive Officer every three to four years. These meetings not tial comments on only serve as a forum for personal communica- project proposals and tion, but also offer the opportunity for the Chair reports from Group Response from the Otter to become acquainted with Group members. The members (and others) fact that more than 90% of all members are per- worldwide. Thirdly, Specialist Group sonally known to the Chair contributes to the there will be a policy of deliberately but At the start of the current IUCN triennium, the increased efficiency of the Group's work. Last, but not least, these personal relationships also gradually transferring responsibility for core Otter Specialist Group (OSG) saw a fundamental functions and communication with other organi- shift from a two level organizational structure might be the reason why many members regard the Otter Specialist Group as an "otter family". zations beyond the Chair’s Advisory Committee (chair, continental coordinators) to a four level and towards the membership in Asian countries. Claus Reuther, Otter Specialist Group Chair structure. A Continental Coordinator for four of It is hoped these organizational adjustments will the five continents hosting otters (Africa, Asia, internationalize the work of the Group, and Europe, Latin-America, North-America) is help- move its center of gravity into Asia from Europe, ing the Chair to coordinate the Group's activities. while presenting all those choosing to become These Coordinators are supported by a network more involved with manageable workloads. of Representatives. In Africa for instance, where only very few otter specialists are available, the Peter Garson, Pheasant Specialist Group Chair 14 15

Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Programme Updates

Response from the Conservation Species Information Breeding Specialist Group Service (SIS) Wildlife Trade Programme Regionalization is a current topic in SSC today and expertise to assist conservation in their A definitive version of the standalone software has Over the past year the Programme has worked but not a new subject for the Conservation country and region. The third is that a newslet- been installed at the Red List Programme office in with its close partner TRAFFIC and appropriate Breeding Specialist Group (CBSG). As long ago ter is produced and distributed to all network Cambridge and is being "debugged". The version Specialist Groups on a number of CITES as 1990, a CBSG member working in India, pro- members and other interested parties. The fourth incorporates the agreed Authority Files for Significant Trade reviews. These have covered posed a plan and structure for a "CBSG, India". is to serve as an organizer of CBSG workshops to Conservation Measurements, Threats, and 14 species of sturgeon and paddlefish, five This was immediately granted and CBSG, India – help bring people together to find common Habitats. Based on the "field" experience of the species of freshwater turtles and tortoises and over the next few years - built a group of 400 ground on difficult conservation problems and to Global Amphibian Assessment some changes have work is underway on the first country-based conservation experts and enthusiasts, conducted develop conservation action and management been recently suggested for the Habitat Authority Significant Trade study in Madagascar and a six Population and Habitat Viability Assessment programs which can be implemented through File and will be incorporated shortly. In addition, review of trade in the pink conch (Strombus (PHVA) workshops, and initiated Conservation the commitments of people participating in the a Trade/Use Module was developed and integrated gigas). Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) workshops. The fifth important guideline is that into the software. As soon as the full working ver- The Programme is now preparing for the 12th workshops in India. During this time, CBSG, all CBSG workshop results and recommenda- sion of the SIS software tool is finalized, it will be meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to Indonesia, CBSG, Mexico, CBSG, MesoAmerica tions are the product of the participants' work distributed to SSC Specialist Groups. CITES to be held in November in Chile. The were initiated using CBSG advice and CBSG, and are provided as advice to the responsible Planning is underway for the next phase of SIS - booklet, CITES A Conservation Tool, has been India as a model. official authorities. CBSG works with the official the construction of an Oracle-based web system published and circulated on CD for the first time. These CBSG satellites or “nodes” were all spon- wildlife authorities at their invitation in all such to support the Service. The scope, objectives and It is available on the SSC website and has a new taneously created by CBSG members living in programs. CBSG is an advisory and support approach of WESIS (Web-enabled SIS), along section providing guidance on procedures at the range countries who had a organization - not a confrontational advocacy with a comprehensive review of the technical COP. The IUCN Analyses of CITES Amendment particular interest in the organization. Its strengths are vested in its needs for this initiative, have been fully detailed Proposals are now underway in conjunction with Innovative thinking is part principles and values of credibility and recognition as a science-based by two specific SIS teams (Technology Team, led TRAFFIC. This project aims to undertake a this unique Specialist advisory group with skills in helping diverse by Fabio Corsi and Long Term Business Plan review of the proposals submitted for the forth- Group. As time went on, groups find common ground for conservation Team, led by Sue Mainka). coming CITES COP. of CBSG’s vitality problem solving. other groups formed in Last year the Programme initiated a new area of Nepal and Sri Lanka Innovative thinking is part of CBSG's vitality. work to look at the conservation impacts of com- which, combined with the group in India, led to Having individuals all over the world participat- Red List Programme mercial cultivation of plants and animals for the formation of CBSG South Asia. Soon after, ing in CBSG to the extent of running a network The last few months have witnessed the release international trade. With the burgeoning demand CBSG, South Africa came into being. vastly adds to the substance of new ideas and of a number of publications from the Red List for wild resources for food and medicinal securi- evolution of tools and processes. This has proved Networks or branches of SSC Specialist Groups Programme including the second draft of the ty, and to supply livelihoods, there is the dilem- an excellent method of reaching many parts of in range countries have many advantages. They regional application guidelines, published in ma of how to ensure supply, while conserving the world which CBSG core would not otherwise are a means of locating and training many peo- Conservation Biology 15: 1206-1212, and an arti- wild species. As seen with traditional crop and have time or resources to do. ple from a variety of related fields and disci- cle on the application of the Red List Categories livestock varieties, cultivation, whilst taking plines. CAMP and PHVA workshops can be Onnie Byers, Conservation Breeding Specialist Group and Criteria to plants (Plant Talk 26: 34-37). In pressure off wild stocks in the short-term, can initiated from the range country, populated with and Sally Walker, CBSG, South Asia addition, the IUCN Red List Categories and lead to long-term loss of genetic variation and a individuals with first-hand knowledge of species Criteria Version 3.1 was published in English, lack of incentives to conserve the species in situ. and habitats of the country or region, and, French and Spanish in booklet form. Recommendations resulting from a past work- perhaps most importantly, followed up with shop endorsed the need for risk assessments Final note The ever-increasing demand for Red List training implementing actions by local conservationists. before initiating new cultivation operations and workshops is far exceeding capacity. To address An active CBSG network can create a We see that this new intersessional period has started to develop a checklist to guide such this, a draft set of user guidelines on the Red List conservation community and identity within a been a time for reflection and change in a num- assessments. ber of Specialist Groups and hope the comments Categories and Criteria and their application is country or region. In the context of the review of the CITES listing from the respondents have provided all Groups being produced. This has a specific reference to CBSG itself is not an implementing agency. As criteria, the Wildlife Trade Programme has been with food-for-thought on Group organization freshwater species, and includes a training pack- the world is a very large place, a global Specialist interacting more with the UN Food and and function. You will also be interested to note age that can be used by anyone to either run a Group has to spread itself pretty thin. CBSG con- Agriculture Organisation (FAO). Together with that SSC representatives have been appointed in Red List training course or to teach themselves. ducts workshops and relies on the host country TRAFFIC and WWF, a briefing paper was pro- each of the IUCN Regional and Country Offices. Dr. Elodie Hudson (a member of the former organizations and agencies to implement them. duced on CITES and fish for FAO delegates. In Further, the new SSC Steering Committee Criteria Review Working Group) has been con- CBSG regional and national networks can take a addition, the Shark Specialist Group has been includes Regional Vice-Chairs to represent the tracted to put together the guidelines and she is more proactive role in tracking recommendations active in reviewing progress with implementa- needs and concerns of SSC members within a working very closely with the Standards and and lobbying government for specific tion of the FAO International Plan of Action, the region (see Technical Information, page 34). If Petitions Subcommittee on this. Dr. Jinie Dela conservation or conducting further studies on development of which was originally stimulated you have further comments or responses to (formerly an educational officer with the IUCN species themselves. by a CITES Resolution. Two years after adoption Danna’s questions, or would like more informa- Sri Lanka office) is developing the training of the voluntary plan, progress has been CBSG has a few simple principles that guide the tion on SSC representatives in the regions, please package, working closely with the IUCN disappointing and the majority of shark fisheries organization and function of country- and email Team Species at [email protected]. Commission for Education and Communication. region- based CBSG networks. The first is the Products will include a training manual, an inter- remain largely unregulated. The CITES Animals commitment of a person to take responsibility active training programme on CD-ROM and an Committee is looking at how the situation can for organization of the network and guiding its advertising brochure. be improved. activities. The second is that CBSG networks are made up of people who volunteer to participate in the CBSG projects and program, regardless of their other organizational affiliations. Thus all CBSG projects are open and intended to provide a neutral forum for people to share their interests 16 17

Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Specialist Group Updates The New Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment Plant Programme Update Programme African Elephant The highlight of the past year has been the adop- The SSC/IUCN Freshwater Biodiversity Report on the fifth Members’ Meeting As shown by the many case studies presented at tion of the Global Strategy for Plant Conservation Assessment Programme was initiated in January the meeting, elephant translocation is a highly (see page 5). Now that it is in place there is a 2002 with the appointment of Will Darwall as The fifth members’ meeting of the African technical and expensive undertaking. Many clear mandate for plant conservation along with the Freshwater Biodiversity Assessment Officer, Elephant Specialist Group took place in the movements of animals have taken place in recent guidelines for priority areas for activity and fund- based in Cambridge, UK. Shaba National Reserve in Kenya, early in 2002. years in Africa often with little technical guid- ing. It must be emphasized that the development Attended by 36 out of the current 48 Group ance from elephant experts. In an effort to fill Records for endangered species tell us that, on members, the meeting was made possible by of the strategy has been a cooperative effort average worldwide, freshwater biodiversity is this technical vacuum, a new Re-introduction involving time and resources from many organi- funding from the European Commission and the Task Force (RTF) was formally appointed to help more threatened than terrestrial. Of those species United States Fish & Wildlife Service with addi- zations and dedicated individuals, of which SSC considered in the IUCN 2000 RedList, 25% of draft guidelines for the re-introduction and has been only one. The Plant Programme pro- tional support from the UK Department for translocation of African elephants. The task force reptiles, 20% of amphibians, 27% of molluscs, Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. duced two IUCN policy papers on the Strategy and 30% of fishes (mostly freshwater) were list- will be working closely with the African (one for the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, ed as threatened. Despite the evident biodiversi- The meeting began with presentations from Elephant Specialist Group and Re-introduction Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) ty crisis in freshwater conservation, activities three geneticists who described findings from Specialist Group Secretariats. meeting in November 2001 and another at the focused on freshwater habitats and species lag recent studies that suggest the existence of mul- Other topics discussed at the meeting included CBD COP in April 2002), and was also involved far behind those for terrestrial habitats and tiple species of African elephant. After lengthy development of national and sub-regional ele- in two side events at these meetings. species. This program aims to direct attention discussion, the Group concluded that although phant conservation strategies, progress of the Funding is being sought for the "Conservation of and conservation action towards freshwater bio- strong evidence does exist to support the view CITES Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants Wild Relatives of Crop Plants—Developing diversity issues on global, that there is more than one species of African (MIKE) program and other issues relating to ille- Capacity and Knowledge" project. This is linked regional and local scales. The elephant, the taxonomic status of elephants still gal killing, trade and human-elephant conflict. A to the International Plant Genetics Research overall Programme objective is remains uncertain. Furthermore, some popula- detailed report on these discussions will be pub- Institute-led, Global Environment Facility-funded the maintenance of freshwater tions of high conservation value may consist lished in the June issue of Pachyderm. wholly or partly of inter-specific hybrids under a project “In situ Conservation of Crop Wild biodiversity and a halt to the In true Group fashion the meeting was both pro- Relatives (CWR) through Improved Information rapid loss of its components. multiple species scenario. The premature alloca- tion of Africa's elephants to two or more species ductive and enjoyable, which made all the hard Management and Field Application”, which will This will be achieved through work done by the African Elephant Specialist involve five countries (Armenia, Bolivia, increasing regional or national could result in significant populations being left in taxonomic limbo. Therefore the Group strong- Group Secretariat in the months leading up to Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan). Its goal capacity and expertise to man- the meeting seem worthwhile. is to improve the in situ conservation of the wild age freshwater ecosystems. To ly encouraged further genetic and morphological Leo Niskanen, Programme Officer relatives of crop plants and their increased avail- do so, tools and methods to studies to resolve this situation. Suggestions ability for crop improvement in the participating gather baseline data on the sta- were also made for further sampling of specific countries. The SSC component will focus on the tus of biodiversity and threats elephant populations. African Rhino creation of a new Crop Wild Relative Specialist to that biodiversity on a region- The Group once again agreed to become the Group to gather, in collaboration with a number al scale are needed. IUCN Red List Authority on the African Elephant Cameroon black rhino conservation strategy of other Specialist Groups, conservation status The program will be actively and to carry out the global listing for Loxodonta The African Rhino Specialist Group has decided information on the wild relatives of crops, as involved in developing regional africana as it is now described. It was further to no longer actively support the Cameroon well as produce action plans for these very networks of expert volunteers recommended that separate listings be carried black rhino conservation program following an important species. that can update and maintain out for savanna and forest populations in antici- extensive survey which failed to locate any rhino The "Top 50" threatened plants project is being information databases and New logo for the pation of further clarification on African ele- (although old spoor confirmed the likelihood of developed to address the increasing need for translate information into con- phant taxonomy. A there being five rhino left, with the probability of case studies for education, the media, and pub- servation action. SSC will Plant Programme new Red List Task a further three). licity to encourage funding agencies to invest in provide this service through Force was set up to At a technical experts meeting, concerns were plant conservation. It was decided that each expansion of its current network to include more take this process for- raised about the number of poaching camps and Specialist Group should present 50 examples of freshwater taxa. It will also prepare global base- ward in close collabo- cable snares encountered, and the apparent low plants within their area of specialization to raise line assessment of freshwater biodiversity for ration with the IUCN intensity of law enforcement. The decision to awareness among conservation practitioners, selected taxa. Funding opportunities are current- Red List Programme. stop supporting the strategy was based on the decision-makers and the general public. ly being pursued to assess mollusc, fish and Memberships of the failure to establish whether a nucleus for a viable A pilot project involving the Mediterranean selected invertebrate taxa. The Global Human Elephant Con- population remained, together with the extreme Island Plants Specialist Group has been submit- Amphibian Assessment is underway and should flict and Data Review difficulty and cost of procuring, establishing and ted for funding. be completed by mid-2003. Global assessments Working Groups were conserving a population in a fenced sanctuary. Finally members of the SSC network outside the are also planned, or are ongoing, for other re-appointed and a However, the Cameroon government was Plants Programme may like to note that a logo groups which include freshwater-dependent new group, the encouraged to protect the remaining rhinos in has been finally adopted. species such as mammals, reptiles, and birds in Technological Adv- situ and to create conditions conducive to their collaboration with various international part- ances Working Group long-term survival. ners. In addition, the Programme will be was established to involved in the storing, managing and analyzing examine the latest freshwater biodiversity data within the Species developments in the Information Service (SIS), developing methods field of GPS radio for prioritizing freshwater sites for conservation tracking and other and promoting increased awareness on freshwater technological innova- biodiversity conservation at all levels of society tions relevant to ele- throughout the regions. phant conservation. Fifth Members Meeting 18 19 Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Asian Elephant Bison – North America Biological management recommendations Strahm, ran the workshop, which was attended The Asian Elephant Specialist Group has in The Bison Specialist Group is producing a con- by some 20 participants from Saudi Arabia and recent years made a special effort to stimulate servation status survey for bison in North One of the recommendations to emerge from the the region. The Group will now focus on interest among governments as well as local sci- America. Delaney Boyd, a graduate student at the biological management workshop hosted by the preparing a checklist of the flora of the Arabian entists and conservationists in Southeast Asia, University of Calgary, Faculty of Environmental Southern Africa Development Community Region, assessing all species against the Red List particularly the Indo-Chinese region. This is Design, and Officer of the Group, is coordinating (SADC) Rhino Management Group was that the Categories, and most importantly, encouraging being largely achieved through partnering with the effort by gathering status information and proposed revised strategy for black rhino should conservation action on the most threatened other international conservation organizations drafting the document in collaboration with be actively communicated to relevant conserva- species. It is envisaged to adapt the Global working here. The Chair and the Deputy Chair Specialist Group members. Upon completion of tion agencies and management teams (see Plant Conservation Strategy, recently adopted (Southeast Asia) have also attended regional the status survey, the Group will prepare an Species 36). The proceedings of this workshop by the CBD COP, to suit conditions in the meetings of range states to facilitate dialogue on IUCN/SCC Conservation Status Survey and served as the background document for an Arabian Peninsula. transboundary elephant conservation programs. Action Plan for North American Bison. Ezemvelo-KZN Wildlife black rhino management The Group has identified three immediate needs The most recent of these was the Bilateral The highlight for this update is the newly strategy meeting held in April 2002, at which this to place the conservation of plants in the region Conference between Vietnam and Cambodia to organization formally adopted the strategy for all developed Bison Specialist Group website on a firm footing. These are to publish the Flora discuss the proposed Daklak-Mondulkiri (www.notitia.com/bison). The site provides its populations. The revised strategy and pro- of the Arabian Peninsula, to establish an Arabian Transboundary Reserve. information on bison and bison conservation for ceedings will be presented at a workshop held by Plants Database and to prepare an Action Plan The other main activities of the group include the general public and facilitates collaboration the South African National Parks to revise their for the Conservation of Flora in the Arabian establishment of a Southeast Asian office to among Group members and other partners across black rhino strategy. Plans are also being made Peninsula. The first of these recently moved for- facilitate conservation activities in this region, Canada, the United States, to present the revised biological management ward when a sponsor for the publishing expens- updating the Asian Elephant Action Plan, and a and Mexico. The pass- strategy to both the Namibian Ministry of es of the remaining four volumes was found. The meeting of the group in May 2002 to discuss the word-accessed Member Tourism and Environmental Affairs and Kenya Group, through NCWCD, has an agreement with Action Plan. Forum features member Wildlife Service for their consideration. A highlight is the newly the Royal Botanical Garden Edinburgh to com- The Group entered into a Memorandum of contact information, a Other news in brief pile the existing knowledge, edit and publish the Understanding (MoU) with Fauna and Flora Group Briefing Note developed website remaining volumes. International in December 2001 to benefit from archive, and documents In a most encouraging development, a viable During a recent visit to the Kingdom of Saudi the assistance in its activities in Southeast Asia. requiring Group comment. founder population of white rhino is being re- Arabia, Dr. Peter Wyse Jackson announced that Under this MoU, Mr. Joe Heffernan, Programme The Status Survey Collaboration page accessible established at Chief’s Island, Moremi National Botanical Gardens Conservation International Coordinator of the FFI Indo-China Elephant from the Forum page enables members to review Park. This is a joint initiative between the (BGCI) will donate US$ 1 million to the estab- Programme based in Cambodia, is also acting as draft sections of the survey and to provide feed- Botswana Department of Wildlife and National lishment of a botanical garden in Riyadh with the Programme Officer (Southeast Asia) for the back on the validity and comprehensiveness of Parks and the private sector. The inaugural meet- the main objective being the ex situ conservation Group. Support for this office comes from the UK the material. On-line collaboration enhances the ing of the SADC Rhino Recovery Group took of regional plants. government. This development would benefit the efficiency of the work of the Bison Specialist place in late May 2002 in Malawi. This group Group by enabling better networking and com- Group in drafting the status survey. comprises representatives of African range states The Specialist Group, through NCWCD, is plan- ning a workshop on junipers in June. The prob- munication with members, especially from the that have either lost or almost lost their rhino Delaney Boyd, Officer, and Dr. Cormack Gates, Co-Chair lem concerns the widespread die-off and southeast Asian region. The countries covered by populations and wish to plan for their re-estab- die-back of juniper (Juniperus procera) in the this office are Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam, lishment and recovery. The Group is concerned Asir Mountains, south-western Saudi Arabia. China, Thailand, Malaysia (Peninsular and about the situation in various rhino areas, not The phenomena have occurred over a number of Sabah), and Indonesia (Sumatra and Cactus and Succulent least Tsavo East National Park, Kenya, where at years and in a number of localities. Naturally, Kalimantan). Other range states will be served New ideas and initiatives for the Cactus and least four black rhinos were recently poached in there have been many studies on aspects of the from the Chair’s office in India. Succulent Specialist Group were developed at the the free-release area, and also in Zimbabwe. In problem, including a three-year collaborative Country nationals have been working on the Group’s biennial meeting in April. This took the latter case, land invasions into the rhino con- project between NCWCD and the Japanese drafts for updating the Asian Elephant Action place during the Congress of the International servancies pose a major threat. Following major International Cooperation Agency (JICA). This Plan with the Asian Elephant Conservation Fund Organization for Succulent Plant Study (IOS) in enforcement efforts in Tsavo East, Kenya Wildlife project has produced a considerable body of data of the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the UK’s Phoenix, Arizona. Service is to be commended for a number of suc- on plant associations, habitat characteristics, Chester Zoo as principal supporters. The Action cessful operations against poachers in the area. micro-meteorological conditions, plant growth Plan will be eventually available on the web and Red Listing of Cacti and Succulents The Group would like to especially thank WWF and other parameters thought to be integral to translated into local languages where needed. A review of the events of the last two years for their continued financial assistance, without understanding the problem. A full meeting of the group was held 27-30 May showed a tremendous first success with the Red which it would be impossible for the Group to Unfortunately, none of these studies seems to 2002 at Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The broad agen- Listing of cacti and succulents. A total of 396 Red operate effectively. have unequivocally pinpointed the cause of the da for the meeting covered presentations of status List Assessments using the revised IUCN Red List Martin Brooks, Chair die-off. Obviously, if the cause cannot be iden- papers on the Asian elephant in the range states, Criteria (IUCN 2001) were submitted to the Red tified, no clear solution can be offered. As a discussion and revision of the Asian elephant List Officer. The Group acknowledges the efforts means of moving forward on this extremely Action Plan, initial meetings of three task forces of the participant members and extends its Arabian Plants important conservation issue, the main objective on elephant-human conflict, captive elephant warmest thanks. With 199 Mexican, 196 of the workshop will be to formulate research welfare and management, and poaching and the Brazilian and one Argentinean cactus species Shortly before the World Conservation Congress projects that will contribute to management ivory trade. The reports of the task forces will be assessed, large gaps are left to be filled. in Amman in 2000, a workshop to provide train- strategies to restore juniper woodlands. part of the Action Plan. Other Specialist Group Future goals and priorities for the Group were ing and information about the Red List Abdulaziz H. Abuzinada, Chair issues such as communications, publication of clearly marked. The Red Listing of cacti and suc- Programme was organized and hosted by the the journal Gajah and a newsletter, and future culents remains the Group’s most important National Commission for Wildlife Conservation directions for the group were also discussed. activity. Gaps in the Red Listing of South and Development (NCWCD) in Riyadh. The American cacti and the lack of assessments of IUCN Red List Programme Officer, Craig Hilton- Prof. Raman Sukumar, Chair, and Prof. Charles Santiapillai, Deputy Chair the 'other succulents' have to be addressed. Taylor and the IUCN Plant Officer, Wendy Every member holding relevant information and 20 21 Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 expertise to help fill these gaps is urgently gram staff. More than 14 CAMPs, PHVAs, con- Publ. Houston Mus. Nat. Sci., No. 2.), partly indicate that the African wild ass populations in requested to contribute and contact the Secretary servation planning, and training workshops will underwritten by Crax International Conservation Ethiopia and Eritrea are the same genetic popu- for further information. be delivered over the remainder of the current Group. It contains cracid papers presented at lation and that there is no evidence of breeding year, and more are being scheduled. With the regional symposia held in Monterrey, Mexico with domestic donkeys. Dr. Oakenfull has The future of the Cactus and Succulent Plant assistance of CBSG Regional Networks (Sally (with emphasis on Middle America and received funding from the Brookfield Zoo and Action Plan Walker, CBSG South Asia; Yolanda Matamoros, Colombia) and Asuncion, Paraguay (emphasis the San Diego Zoo and is currently using The IUCN Cactus and Succulent Plant Action CBSG Mesoamerica; Amy Camacho, CBSG on Paraguay and Argentina) in October 1999, as microsatellite analyses to investigate paternity Plan and its future were extensively discussed Mexico; and Yolan Friedmann, CBSG South well as Santa Cruz, Bolivia (emphasis on Bolivia and relatedness in the Eritrean African wild ass during a plenary discussion meeting of members Africa) and Strategic Associates, including Dr. and Peru) in 1997. The book is 225 pp. and costs population. This technique will also be used to at the IOS Congress. The proposal to review and Harrie Vredenburg, Dr. Frances Westley, Dr. US$17. Four of the 13 contributions are in determine the number of different individuals in revise the Action Plan was eagerly supported by Robert Lacy and Dr. Doug Armstrong, all of the Spanish, but all contributions have English, the Ethiopian African wild ass population. nearly all attendees. A revised Action Plan could current commitments will be met. Spanish and Portuguese abstracts. If you are a Dr. Stuart Williams completed a survey on the be a new flagship project for the IOS. It should CBSG intends to maintain its active schedule. distributor or would like to order five or more Grevy’s zebra in Northern Kenya and the data contain a review of what has been achieved The 2003 schedule is currently being developed copies, contact us directly for bulk prices. Please are being analyzed. Dr. Williams has also since the first edition, lessons learned, and pro- and organizations considering using the CBSG contact Jennifer King ([email protected]) directly secured funds for further surveys of Grevy’s posals for future actions and their implementa- tools and processes should contact the CBSG for ordering information: Jennifer King; Houston zebra (Equus grevyi) in Ethiopia. Dr. Nita Shah tion. Philip Downs, Group office as soon as possible to ensure inclusion in Museum of Natural Science; 1 Hermann Circle; received funding from the San Diego Zoo for sur- With 396 cactus species assessed, Member and Principal the CBSG schedule. Retail Services; Houston, Texas 77030-1799; USA. veys of the Kiang (Equus kiang) in China. Dr. Coordinator of the IOS Ulie is dealing with his illness in the same ener- A number of cracid field projects have been imple- Dan Rubenstein has a long-term research pro- large gaps are left to be filled, Conservation Section, has getic and pragmatic manner that he has brought mented since publication of the Cracid Action gram underway on the mating systems and mul- volunteered to be the driv- to the work of the CBSG. Ulie welcomes mes- Plan. Of the 19 projects listed for support in tilevel social organization of the Plains zebra. ing force behind the revision in collaboration sages from colleagues and friends. If you wish to Appendix V of the Action Plan, all but three have Finally, Wildlife Trust provided funding for con- with Wolfgang Stuppy, Secretary of both the contact him, messages can be sent to a message been realized, receiving full or partial support! servation protection of the Kulan (Equus Specialist Group and IOS. Like the first IUCN board set up for this purpose (www.cbsg.org). The Group continues its strong commitment to hemionus kulan) in Turkmenistan. This is part Cactus and Succulent Plant Action Plan, the new the publication of cracid research through the of a much larger program being led by Dr. Olga edition would also be a strongly collaborative trilingual Bol. CSG (Bulletin of the Cracid Pereladova and WWF Central Asia. effort of IOS and the Group, whose memberships Cracid Specialist Group). This Bulletin has been pub- Mr. Fanuel Kebede completed his MSc at the strongly overlap. lished and circulated biannually, every March Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology During the V International Congress on Wolfgang Stuppy, Secretary and September, with generous help from the (DICE) at Kent University, Canterbury, England Management of Amazonia and Latin American World Pheasant Association. The Bulletin reach- with the support of the Wildlife Trust and the Fauna (Cartagena, September 2001), a es nearly 400 individuals around the globe, pre- Equid Specialist Group. He wrote his thesis on Symposium took place entitled "The Status of dominantly in Latin America. Check out the ‘The ecology and conservation of the African Conservation Breeding the Family Cracidae in Colombia: Perspectives of Group’s website: wild ass in the Danakil desert, Ethiopia’. Upon Use and Conservation". This was coordinated by Minneapolis, May 22, 2002—Dr. Ulysses S. Seal his return to Ethiopia he was appointed a Ana Maria Franco and Luis Miguel Renjifo http://www.angelfire.com/ca6/cracid has announced to the membership of the CBSG research biologist with the Department of (Instituto Alexander von Humboldt); Isabel Melo that he has been diagnosed with a large cell ade- Dan Brooks, Chair Research and Veterinary Medicine at the and Jose Manuel Ochoa (Sociedad Antioqueña nocarcinoma of the lung with metastases. The Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Organization. de Ornitología) and Diana Arzuza (Orniat). The Conservation Breeding Specialist Group of the Hagos Yohannes, Head of the Eritrean Wildlife objective of the Symposium was to unite scien- IUCN Species Survival Commission has been led Conservation Unit, has also completed his MSc tists interested in studying cracids, to exchange Equid by Ulie for 22 years. The treatments he is under- at DICE, Kent University, with support from the and discuss information contributing to their The Equid Specialist Group has secured funding going make it difficult for him to maintain, in the Equid Specialist Group and the Wildlife Trust. near term, the very heavy schedule that he is management and conservation. for research and conservation of the African wild The Equid Specialist Group has held meetings accustomed to keeping. The symposium included a number of presenta- ass in Eritrea and Ethiopia. The Eritrean Project received a Whitley-Laing Continuation Award for and symposia in 1997, 1998, 2000, and 2001. The Meetings of CBSG Steering Committee members tions on cracids in Colombia. A workshop took Nature Conservation. Fanuel Kebede (Ethiopian 2001 meeting was held at the 8th International were held in May 2002 in Marwell, UK and place to identify information gaps in basic field Wildlife Conservation Organization) received Theriological Congress in South Africa and open Minneapolis, US to discuss the management of research, ex situ conservation, and management. funding for conservation research on both the to both Group members and Congress delegates. CBSG during the period of Ulie’s illness. As a Subjects highlighted included research and ex African wild ass (Equus africanus) and Grevy’s A Symposium on Equid biology, behavioral result, Dr. Lee Simmons, director of Omaha’s situ conservation relating to threatened species zebra from the Wildlife Trust. The Ethiopian ecology, and conservation was convened by Henry Doorly Zoo, has agreed to assume the and management pertaining to opportunities and Wildlife Conservation Organization has received Patricia Moehlman. duties of Deputy Chair of CBSG to assist Dr. Seal limitations that the national legislation offers, a grant from the French Government and the for the immediate future in the leadership of the determine what alternatives to cracid use in The new Equid Action Plan has been submitted United Nations Development Programme for the Group. Dr. Onnie Byers will continue to manage Colombia can be offered without creating false to the Species Survival Commission and is in the conservation of African wild ass in the Yangudi the CBSG office, based at the Minnesota Zoo. expectations to local communities. A list of ideas final editing stage. Rassa National Park. The Group is working in Discussions have been held with many of CBSG’s was created to propose conservation action for Patricia D. Moehlman, Chair, cracids, with priority for threatened species. This cooperation with the national wildlife authorities and Mace Hack, Deputy Chair key donors and stakeholders. All have committed and local residents to develop management plans their continued support for the organization. list conformed with the ideas of the Colombian Cracidologist community. The Proceedings of that will maintain ecosystem integrity, conserve CBSG’s Program Staff, composed of Dr. Byers this Symposium will be published at a later date. the endangered species, and provide long-term and Dr. Phil Miller, will continue to develop its food security. important work program and deliver innovative The Cracid Specialist Group is pleased to conservation programs. To meet increasing announce its latest publication, Cracid Ecology Preliminary analyses done by Dr. Ann Oakenfull demand, CBSG is actively seeking additional pro- and Conservation in the New Millennium (D.M. Brooks and F. Gonzalez-Garcia, Eds. - Misc. 22 23 Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Iguana The rock iguanas of the West Indies (genus The recovery plan will shortly be available on RISCINSA ship to the Cape clawless otter (Aonyx capensis) Cyclura) are among the most endangered lizards the Iguana Specialist Group website and, to increase knowledge of its biology and in the world. Because they are important seed (http://www.iucn-isg.org/). To address the needs of insectivore conservation distribution. Aktion Fischotterschutz organized a in tropical regions, the Insectivore Specialist dispersers for native plants, their loss has serious Frederic Burton, Steering Committee Member genetic study at the Institute for Zoo and Wildlife consequences for the health of Caribbean dry Group has developed links with RISCINSA, the Research in Berlin, carried out on museum sam- tropical forest ecosystems. The Grand Cayman Rodentia, Insectivora and Scandentia ples. Efforts were also made to find evidence for blue iguana, Cyclura nubila lewisi, is among the Insectivore Conservation and Information Network of South the existence of this otter in Africa. It is hoped most Critically Endangered of the group, with no Asia, which now represents the Group in South that these efforts will soon clear this last mystery more than 100-200 individuals remaining. For Veterinary Liaison Asia. RISCINSA was established in response to a among the otter species. this reason, support for conservation efforts The Insectivore Specialist Group has recommendation coming from a group of rodent aimed toward recovery of this unique animal appointed Linda W. Ruth, D.V.M. as "Veterinary and insectivore biologists at a Conservation Public awareness and illegal trade in Asia have been a high priority of the Iguana Specialist Liaison" ([email protected]). Her task is Assessment and Management Plan (CAMP) Increasing public awareness is one of the most Group since its inception. to answer questions from the general workshop. In the workshop more than 50% of important contributions to otter conservation in public directed to "The Shrew Shrine" the 102 Indian rodents and insectivores were cat- Immediately following the Group’s annual meet- Asia. In February, more than 40 participants met (http://members.vienna.at/shrew) about matters egorized as Data Deficient. RISCINSA members ing in November, 2001, a two-day workshop at Rach Gia, Vietnam for a workshop on involving insectivores. The Shrew Shrine has work to improve knowledge of data deficient involving the entire Iguana Specialist Group, "Conservation and Public Awareness of Otters in been a forum for insectivore information since species. together with local partici- U Minh Thuong National Park, Vietnam". This 1996 and an electronic newsletter associated pants, developed a Species RISCINSA organized a training workshop in field unique reserve is home to one of the rarest otter with the site, “Shrew Talk”, is distributed to over Recovery Plan for the Grand techniques and taxonomy in Trichur, India, 21-25 species in Asia, the hairy-nosed otter (Lutra We hope to raise awareness and 600 registered recipients. Cayman blue iguana. The July 2002. Dr. Mike Jordan, Small Mammal Chair sumatrana). Recently upgraded to a National appreciation of insectivores workshop, held at the Queen Since August, Dr. Ruth has answered questions of the Re-introduction Specialist Group, will act Park, U Minh Thuong is part of a rural Elizabeth II Botanic Park on covering a broad range of topics, from the care of as lead resource person with local specialists development project of CARE International in Grand Cayman, was hosted by the National Trust shrews and other insectivores found orphaned or assisting. Part of the training will be devoted to Vietnam. As always, attempts to combine the for the Cayman Islands and facilitated by Group injured, to concerns about zoonotic diseases, the IUCN Red List and the CAMP process, in an interests of rural development and of conserva- member Quentin Bloxam (Durrell Wildlife parasites, crop damage, conservation matters, attempt to prepare the field biologists for a full tion require the understanding and participation Conservation Trust). behavior and ecology. Besides answering urgent South Asian Rodent and Insectivore CAMP to be of the local people. questions whenever possible (the survival of held November in Coimbatore, India. The The Recovery Plan's goal is "to restore a wild The Otter Research Group of Japan also support- captive orphaned or injured shrews depends training workshop, and the network itself, is population of the Grand Cayman blue iguana ed a second workshop in New Delhi, India, in upon receiving care within a matter of hours), fully sponsored by the Knowsley Safari Park, sufficient to remain viable in the long term." March 2002. While considering "How to promote Dr. Ruth is collecting data in order to establish a United Kingdom. Drawing on a groundswell of support from otters as the wetland ambassador", the partici- frequently asked question, or FAQ page for the Specialist Group members and the international Werner Haberl, Chair, Linda Ruth, ISG Veterinary pants clarified a major challenge to otter conser- website. The Shrew Shrine is a first-line resource conservation community that has been stimulat- Liaison, and Sally Walker, RISCINSA vation in Asia - otters are not as popular as tigers for people interested in information about these ed by the workshop, the National Trust has now or elephants in this region. The participants tried animals and receives frequent inquiries about launched into work on the Recovery Plan, under to assist the Wildlife Trust of India, which host- the care of found insectivores. the direction of Group member Frederic Burton. Otter ed this meeting, to prepare a strategy to change We hope that this this situation. The five-year plan coordinates diverse aspects of Basics for Africa service and the FAQ A project has been started to increase the knowl- At both workshops, an issue that may have been an integrated and ambitious conservation pro- page, when devel- gram, ranging from habitat protection, in-situ edge of the distribution of otters in Africa. This underestimated in the past, came to the fore- oped, will help those includes the preparation of a leaflet introducing ground. Several reports demonstrated that illegal and ex-situ captive breeding and head-starting, who care enough to reintroduction and restocking, research, fund- the four otter species occurring in Africa and trade of otters in Asia, as well as their use in tra- inquire about the asking, via questionnaire, who has seen otters. ditional medicine, is greater than previously raising and public education. It builds on a sub- insectivorous wildlife stantial program already established by the Considering the low level of knowledge of assumed. Asian otter specialists need to investi- they find in their gar- African otters, this basic information can form a gate more thoroughly and develop ideas on how National Trust, which since 1990 has been oper- dens, and raise gener- ating a successful in-situ captive breeding pro- foundation for further studies. Also, the German to reduce this threat. al awareness and Association for Otter Conservation (Aktion gram, leading, via field research and habitat appreciation of insec- Claus Reuther, Chair management, to the restocking of a wild blue Fischotterschutz) is preparing a database to form tivores. The answers the basis for a future experts network providing iguana population in the Queen Elizabeth II stress the important information on the distribution of otters in Botanic Park. This small nucleus of released cap- role insectivores play Africa. The leaflet is printed in three languages: tive-bred animals began breeding in the Park in in the ecosystem, Rock Iguana, Cyclura nubila lewisi English, French and Portuguese and was made 2000. Field studies led by the National Trust encourage the use of possible through a donation from WWF South in the past, combined with significant efforts in non-lethal control measures whenever possible, Africa. In Africa, it can be ordered from Prof. Jan public education over the years, provides a and highlight the beneficial effects of insectivores Nel (University of Stellenbosch, Private Bag X1, strong base of information and local support in the urban environment. Hopefully, readers will Matieland, 7602 Stellenbosch, South Africa). from which to carry the Recovery Plan forward. begin to see that shrews and moles are not pests Others can contact the Group chairman However, preliminary results from a new survey to be eliminated, but valuable partners in the ([email protected]). of the wild population suggest that there is little homeowner's battle against crop, garden and time left to act. There is evidence of a major home-destroying insects. Also, by learning about The second initiative is focussing on the Congo reduction in the range of wild blue iguanas on the role of insectivores in the ecosystem, both as clawless otter (Aonyx congicus), a species about Grand Cayman compared with data from the predators and as prey, people become more aware which virtually nothing is known but is expected early 1990s, bringing this taxon perilously close of the connections between all living organisms, to be limited to the Congo Basin. Extensive to functional extinction in the wild. enhancing their understanding of ecology. efforts were undertaken to identify its relation- 24 25 Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Pheasant Specialist Group Earlier this year, the Pheasant Specialist Group As we approach the halfway mark in the life of of the collared peccary (Tayassu tajacu) in Latin tion programs worldwide. The Group also pro- completed a formal audit of its operations using our second Action Plan (2000-04), 18 of its 25 America", and is led by Dr. Ferran Jori of France. vides the necessary expertise on re-introductions the Specialist Group Chair’s Terms of Reference listed priority projects are receiving some atten- Other new and exciting peccary projects are through its extensive network and also plays an as a framework providing an account of SSC tion. Major species-focused work is underway in being developed throughout Central and South advocacy role in stopping inappropriate releases. expectations. China on the ecology of Elliot’s pheasant in America, many with the involvement of mem- To function more effectively, permanent staff, sta- Pleasingly, we concluded that our project man- Guizhou (Liang Wei), Reeves’s pheasant in bers of the Peccary Sub-group. These include a ble background resources, a more proactive agement activities were very well developed, Henan (Zhang Zhengwang) and Sclater’s monal new white-lipped peccary project in Bolivia, a modus operandi, a motivated membership and from encouraging people to write proposals, in Yunnan (Han Lianxian). Elsewhere, surveys project looking at the status of peccaries in the greater clarity and accountability from Section through the details of project planning and continue for both Germain’s peacock-pheasant Chaco of Argentina, and projects in Mexico Chairs are needed. implementation, to helping with writing reports in south Vietnam (Nguyen Tran Vy) and green focused on the impact of hunting on peccary Also identified was a need for a technical body and refereed journal papers. We view our project peafowl in Cambodia (Tan Setha). A comprehen- populations in Chiapas and peccary habitat use on re-introductions to develop core skills for re- management activities as a training regime for sive review of all available status information on in the Yucatan. introductions and play a technical role in propos- our less-experienced members as well as a Indochinese Galliformes species is being under- The Sub-group is also planning a project entitled al evaluation. The Group can also develop means of producing research results that should taken by Nick Brickle with a view to identifying "Evaluating the Geographic Status and program evaluation processes and, besides advo- lead to conservation action on the ground. the most urgent action required. During August, Landscape Dynamics of white-lipped peccary", cating the benefits of re-introduction, recommend a workshop is being organized in Beijing by ‘best practices’. We have deliberately departed from the SSC which intends to assess and implement a more Peter Garson and Philip McGowan to facilitate guidelines in two areas. First, rather than coordinated conservation strategy for this The Group noted a need to focus on capacity the publication of more research findings in fundraising as a Group, we help principal inves- species. White-lipped peccary range from the building and technical support in developing international journals. tigators responsible for developing our projects Yucatan of Mexico, through continental South nations and a need to provide expertise to other by issuing an endorsement letter on behalf of Peter Garson, Chair America, to the Chaco of Argentina. However, SSC Specialist Groups as well as to policy-makers SSC, BirdLife International numbers vary considerably over this range, the and re-introduction practitioners. Also, the Group and the World Pheasant species being on the verge of extirpation in some identified a need to be more involved with the areas, whilst still maintaining large healthy pop- Association, our three par- science and theory of re-introductions, to We are still poorly represented in Pigs, Peccaries and Hippos ulations in other areas. This variance in popula- enhance its capacity in developing post-reintro- ent organizations. This let- During the past decade there has been increasing tion size and structure is key to understanding duction project evaluation/assessment protocols several Southeast Asian countries ter evidently carries some recognition of both the economic and ecological future conservation strategies of these animals. and to provide leadership in this area. weight when appended to importance of peccaries in many South and For example, a large, healthy population of that are rich in pheasants grant applications. Second, Major tasks and activities for the Chair, Vice Central American countries. The Peccary Sub- white-lipped peccary in western Amazonia can we set priorities in Action Chair, and Regional and Taxon representatives group has been involved in a large number of be incorporated into a strategy based on sustain- Plans with a five-year shelf-life rather than devel- were identified in accordance with policies of the field-based research and public awareness activ- able hunting and the peccary pelt trade. In con- oping an annual workplan. SSC Secretariat, SSC Chair’s office and host insti- ities, workshops and conferences, intended to trast, fragmented populations in places such as tution. Other officers appointed by the Chair We have been falling short of SSC’s promote more applied research and the Central America, São Paulo, or the Argentine should be proactive, accountable and committed expectations in several other respects. We are improved conservation management of all three Chaco require a landscape conservation strategy to promoting the Group’s mission and objectives. now striving to operate more by consensus from peccary species, namely the white-lipped that protects populations and tries to link them Activities for the near future include increasing Asia, where all but one of our species occur (see peccary (Tayassu pecari), collared peccary (T. through reforestation and corridor projects. awareness and communications, building strate- Special Feature, page 15). We are only just set- tajacu) and the giant or Chacoan peccary Richard E. Bodmer, Regional Coordinator, gic alliances with suitable partners, planning and ting up an independent web presence (Catagonus wagneri). Peccary Sub-Group running re-introduction training workshops with (http://www.gct.org.uk/psg) with generous The Sub-group last met in Cartegena, Colombia, various organizations and initiatives worldwide, assistance from the Game Conservancy Trust in where amongst the more important issues developing a fund-raising strategy, and planning the UK. We are still poorly represented in sever- addressed, were the opening of the peccary pelt Re-introduction an annual meeting. al Southeast Asian countries that are rich in trade in Bolivia and the current peccary pelt The meeting concluded that the strategic plan pheasants, but are now working to fill the gaps. Proposed Mission: trade in Peru. The Sub-group is also involved developed is ambitious and visionary. The strate- As a first step towards investigating sustainable To combat the ongoing and massive loss of bio- with an analysis of the Peruvian peccary pelt gy removes dependence on only one individual, use options, Rahul Kaul and Jitender Jandrotia diversity by using re-introductions as a responsi- trade and ways of incorporating this trade into the Chair, and represents a pragmatic approach are now undertaking a study designed to assess ble tool for the management and restoration of conservation initiatives. Peru is the only country that can be tested over the next two years and the impact of hunting on pheasant populations biodiversity through actively developing and pro- that is legally exporting peccary pelts to Europe. adapted as necessary. near Chamba in the western Himalayas (India). moting sound inter-disciplinary scientific infor- This peccary trade might be a means of estab- We have generally not been effective in convert- mation, policy, and practice to establish viable Thanks to Dr. Frederic Launay, Chair and Mr. lishing a "green leather" program or ing our research findings into advice for conser- wild populations in their natural habitats. Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General, "certification", which would enable the peccary Environmental Research & Wildlife Development vation managers to take action on the ground. pelt trade to be used as a means of promoting Agency (ERWDA), Abu Dhabi, UAE for hosting However, in the eastern Himalayas, Sarala Strategic Planning Workshop - March 2002 wildlife conservation through economic incen- the various attendees and thanks to Dr. Mark Khaling is taking forward her earlier work on the A strategic planning workshop defined the Re- tives. This project is still in the initial phase, but Stanley Price, Executive Director, Durrell Wildlife status and ecology of the Satyr tragopan by introduction Specialist Group Strategy for the related research intended to improve under- Conservation Trust (DWCT), Jersey, Channel involving local villagers in monitoring both the next three to five years, within the framework of standing of the market, the movement (sale and Islands for facilitating this workshop. tragopan population (as a ecotourism flagship), the IUCN/SSC Strategic Plan; including consider- re-sale of pelts), hunters' attitudes and correlates and the various impacts of human activities on ations of the mission, vision, role and structure of The detailed Strategic Plan can be accessed at of pelt quality, are also underway. the forest habitats that they share. A survey in the Group. http://iucn.org/themes/ssc/programs/rsg.htm northern Myanmar by Alexander Pack-Blumenau The European Commission has just begun a new Main outcomes include noting the positive Pritpal S. Soorae, Executive Officer revealed pristine forests and a population of three-year INCO Collared peccary project that impact of the Group through the development of Blyth’s Tragopan in the Hpungran Razi Range, involves members of the Peccary Sub-group. The policies (such as Guidelines for Re-introduction) which has now been given protected area status project is entitled "Development of different pro- and its newsletter Re-introduction News; which as a result. duction systems for the sustainable exploitation provides up-to-date information on re-introduc- 26 27 Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Seaduck In November 2000, the Seaduck Specialist Group already been forwarded through the listserv, most logical systems and human livelihoods. The and/or regions. Comments and observations held its first meeting since 1994. The meeting notably the recent results of the satellite telemetry revised SUSG Programme Framework reflects about the framework are welcome. The analytic included the members meeting, a major work- project which has given indications of a major this. Our guiding objective until the next IUCN framework is available from the SUSG website: shop on scoters and an evening workshop on moulting site for West Siberian birds along the World Conservation Congress is as follows: http://iucn.org/themes/ssc/susg/ and can be Steller’s eider. During the members meeting, an southeastern shores of Novaya Zemlya. SUSG will use a multidisciplinary, scientific, and requested from [email protected]. update of recent and future activities was given The next meeting took place in Estonia in technical approach to understand and test how Ruth Barreto, Head, IUCN Sustainable Use Team and discussed. Several members volunteered to April 2002 with the overall theme of eiders and the sustainability of use of biological systems is undertake some of the tasks so far carried out by the reasons for the recent rapid declines in the related to human livelihoods, and communicate the Chair. Peter Cranswick of the UK, promised Baltic population. this knowledge to policy- and decision-makers. to edit the Seaduck Bulletin after the next issue Tapir Stefan Pihl, Chair In pursuing this objective, our network of region- and Antra Stipniece, Latvia, took over mainte- al Specialist Groups will contribute to the colla- The First International Tapir Symposium held in nance of the member’s list. tion of global experience on the relationship of Costa Rica in November 2001 proved to be a The scoter workshop proved a great success rep- livelihoods and sustainable use, and the compi- major boost to tapir conservation and was the resenting the first ever gathering of scoter Southern African lation of tools and methodologies for analyzing first time that tapir experts gathered to share experts from around the globe and confirming this dimension of sustainability. A key point is their knowledge and address the challenges fac- the substantial lack of knowledge relating to the Invertebrates that the SUSG knowledge base must have multi- ing their species. species! Nevertheless, an impressive amount of This Specialist Group has become very active disciplinary credibility. These activities will The event was organized by the Tapir Specialist information was presented in the form of nation- and is currently working on a two-tier manage- result in new SUSG products that will be deliv- Group, the AZA Tapir Taxon Advisory Group al reports which gave an overall picture of what ment system. There are 19 officially registered ered to key policy fora and to IUCN members. (TAG) and the Tapir Preservation Fund and was happening throughout the Western core members although the Group’s newsletter Leif E. Christoffersen, Chair involved many key players in the development Palearctic flyways. Important contributions goes to over 50 other 'participants'. Core mem- and implementation of tapir conservation pro- included studies of the breeding biology of com- bership though, is not restricted. The first two Analytic Framework for Assessing Factors grams. Presentations and posters provided the mon and velvet scoters in Europe and we were newsletters have been launched, calling for sug- that Influence Sustainability of Uses of Wild audience with an overview of current tapir especially pleased to have Jean-Pierre Savard gestions for a name for the publication, two of research. During the symposium, we established from the Canadian Wildlife Service to offer a which have been suggested. Living Natural Resources priorities and created committees to work on IUCN recognizes that sustainable use is a com- specific tasks related to the structure of the Tapir transatlantic perspective on the discussions. The Networking among participants in invertebrate plex process. It is a moving target, affected by a Specialist Group, internal/external communica- meeting allowed for quick feedback from experts conservation in the area has been given a top pri- multitude of factors that interact and change tion, and fundraising. regarding the current real ority as this was a shortcoming in invertebrate over time. The IUCN Policy Statement on and perceived threats to conservation in general, as identified by the Charles Foerster continues Sustainable Use reflects this view and outlines st the populations. All agreed IUCN/SSC scoping workshop on invertebrate his research on Baird’s Continued increase in ship traffic the broad approach that IUCN has adopted. Yet The 1 International Tapir that the continued conservation held in Washington at the end of tapir (T. bairdii) in the challenge of applying this approach to and infrastructure development increase in ship traffic and last year (see News, page 6). Corcovado National Park, Symposium proved to be a infrastructure develop- concrete situations remains. How do we take Costa Rica. Charles has Two other major developments are the produc- pose significant threats ment in the shallow off- complexity seriously in working towards sustain- radio-collared 27 tapirs tion of a Special Issue of African Entomology, boost to tapir conservation shore environment posed ability? What tools can we use to analyze our use since 1995. Radio-teleme- edited by Melodie McGeoch and myself, on the most significant threats practices and orient our activities along increas- try and direct observations "Arthropod diversity and conservation in south- in the Western Palearctic. There was also agree- ingly sustainable paths? How do we ask the right are being used to document home range size, ern Africa". The second development is the ment that the most pressing research needs questions so that we can make better decisions? habitat use, reproduction, offspring and adult sex Inland Invertebrate Initiative being championed relate to improving our understanding of linkage The analytic framework, developed by the ratios, offspring survival rates, juvenile dispersal, by Rob Slotow at the University of Natal, with between different breeding, moulting, staging Sustainable Use Specialist Group’s (SUSG) spatial distribution, population density, mortali- the aim of co-ordinating invertebrate conserva- and wintering areas. Although we were able to Technical Advisory Committee (TAC), is offered ty, and genetic variability. Patrícia Medici contin- tion, at least in KwaZulu-Natal. synthesize a simple overview of the major as an early contribution to the broad set of ana- ues her study on the lowland tapir (T. terrestris) important staging, moulting and wintering sites, A further exciting development is the formation lytic and management tools that will need to be as landscape detectives in the Atlantic Forests of in the absence of ringing data, we know nothing of the South Asian Invertebrates Specialist Group assembled by IUCN and others to assist societies Brazil. Patrícia has radio-collared 20 tapirs since about how birds use these different areas. with whom we shall link and cooperate to max- to use biological systems sustainably. This tool 1996, and is documenting home range size, ter- Proceedings from the meeting are currently being imize conservation efforts. was produced by a multidisciplinary team, and ritorial behaviour, dispersal routes, activity pat- prepared for publication. It seems now that the little creatures have some provides an overview of the different issues that terns, genetics and health status. Emilio The objective of the Steller’s eider workshop was friends and allies coming on board! must be considered in assessing use practices Constantino with the Red de Reservas in to set up a working group to implement the Michael Samways, Chair including economic, ecological, socio-political, Colombia continues to travel all over the country Steller’s eider Action Plan and maintain the exist- and institutional. The framework includes vari- trying to find out if tapirs inhabit specific regions ing network of experts. As a first step, an e-group ous modules of analysis to aid understanding of from which they have been reported in the past. was formed with Diana Solovieva, Russia, as co- Sustainable Use Specialist the complexities of sustainability, and provides a This project is revealing pertinent information ordinator and Baz Hughes, Wildfowl and systematic way to guide assessments of specific about Colombia's tapir populations. Diego Wetlands Trust, UK, kindly offering to set up the Group use practices. Lizcano from Colombia continues his study on listserv while Umberto Gallo-Ursi will be the link SUSG Revises Programme Framework, Next steps include field-testing and refinement of the mountain tapir (T. pinchaque) at Los to BirdLife International and its partners. The list- the framework. However, there is no desire to Nevados and Ucamari Parks. serv is open to anybody interested in Steller’s Guiding Objective Sharpened develop a single, all-purpose template, as that Four members have recently joined forces to eider. To enlist please write to Recently, the Sustainable Use Specialist Group’s runs contrary to IUCN’s approach to sustainable study the role tapirs and other large herbivores [email protected] with "subscribe stellers" Executive Committee agreed to sharpen the over- use. Rather, it is expected that a variety of play in maintaining and shaping Neotropical (without quote marks) in the body of your e-mail all guiding objective for 2002-2004 to focus on frameworks and assessment tools might be forests. Charles Foerster, Diego Lizcano, Patrícia message. A great deal of interesting news has the relationship between sustainable use of bio- developed in the context of specific use sectors Medici and Silvia Chalukian will examine how 28 29 Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Communications

Communication Notes the removal of the herbivores will affect the Websites and Listservs cataloguing and copying the key records and lishing the Crocodile Photo gallery on the structure and floristic diversity in four different building them into a comprehensive and endur- Crocodile Specialist Group web page— ecosystems of Costa Rica, Colombia, Brazil and IUCN/SSC now has the facility to host a website ing audio-visual record. ARKive will be a global http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology Argentina. The results will provide insights into for all Specialist Groups within the SSC domain, resource, preserved for future generations, where /crocs.htm. Many Group members have provided the ecological functions of the herbivores, which with the provision that groups are responsible everyone can learn about the importance of the excellent photos and the majority of these have will, in turn, enhance future management plans. for managing and updating their own sites. For Earth’s biodiversity and the urgent need to con- agreed to allow us to display their images and those that do not yet have a web presence, the Debbie Martyr and Jeremy Holden of Fauna & serve it. use them for fundraising. All images are marked communications team can help you create a with the photographer’s name and “copyright CSG”. Flora International continue their work at Kerinci home page in the expectation that this can be Each page of the ARKive website will illustrate Seblat National Park in Sumatra and have been developed into a full site when time allows. the life history of a particular endangered species We have received inquiries for use of our images reporting on the Asian tapir (T. indicus) situation Similarly, IUCN/SSC can also host a listserv for using up to 10 minutes of moving footage, six from a wide selection of people ranging from in that area. Also in Sumatra, Matt Linkie is all Groups that are interested. Note that two peo- still images and two minutes of audio, together students and schools for individual and class undertaking fieldwork on the effects of defor- ple are needed to manage the listserv. For more with useful facts and cross references. project websites through magazines and printed estation on tapirs. Bengt Holst of the information contact [email protected] ARKive is a not-for-profit initiative of The media, several illustrated books for children, Copenhagen Zoo and the Malaysian Department Wildscreen Trust, and the visionary behind commercial advertising, and most recently for of Wildlife and National Parks are establishing a E-Bulletin ARKive is Christopher Parsons, former head of the National Geographic "Supercroc" promotion. radio-telemetry study on the Asian tapir in the By now, many of you should be familiar with the the BBC’s Natural History Unit and creator of the The Group routinely provides images in low-res- Krau Reserve in Malaysia. Budsabong SSC monthly E-Bulletin. This has proven to be a Life on Earth television series. The project has olution format without charge for personal and Kanchanasaka is studying the species in Khlong popular addition to SSC communications and an the support of all the world’s key conservation- educational use, requesting that users acknowl- Saeng and Khao Sok Parks in Thailand. excellent way to share information about the ists including Ed Wilson, IUCN, UNEP-WCMC, edge the source and retain the photographer Adrian Naveda with Earthmatters and Denis goings on in the network. The E-Bulletin is post- WWF and Conservation International. Images credit and copyright statement. Torres with the Fundación Andigena in ed on the SSC website. If you are interested in are being donated by the most famous names in We routinely receive requests for images for Venezuela are working on a tapir studbook for receiving it, please contact [email protected] natural history broadcasting including the BBC, obviously commercial use, that is the user will that country. The AZA Tapir TAG and the EAZA National Geographic, Australian Broadcasting sell a product or otherwise generate revenue Tapir and Hippo TAG keep working closely with Corporation, as well as commercial picture from our image, and have successfully negotiat- Group and both groups have been supporting Calling all owners of film libraries, scientific institutions, and a huge num- ed fees ranging from $100–$5000 USD per image research and conservation both in captivity and ber of private individuals. depending on use. The average is around in the field. and photographs of More than £2million of funding has already been $150/image for one-time, non-exclusive use, and Patrícia Medici, Chair, and Charles Foerster, Deputy received from the UK's Lottery Fund and the first we have found little or no hesitancy from a wide Chair endangered species – focus of activity is an initial group of 500 of the variety of publishers and media outlets to pay ARKive wants to hear from you! world's threatened species (in parallel with a these fees. I now routinely explain to commercial “British Chapter” featuring 1000 species). image requests that we run a program funded by ARKive will be the world’s centralized library of donations and we wish to negotiate a suitable If you own photographs or moving footage of images and recordings of endangered species, fee. We can usually quickly agree to a rate and any Red List species please contact us. Copies of accessible to all for educational and scientific terms and define these in a short standard agree- your images will be viewable at low-level resolu- use—the Noah’s Ark for the Internet era. ment. We then provide the image either elec- tion on the ARKive website (although held at Films and photo- tronically in the users preferred format or high quality in the project's digital vault for pos- graphs are a power- sometimes as a (returnable) hard copy. terity). Copyright remains with the image owner, ful means of raising Sometimes we luck into more profitable arrange- public awareness, as and all images are credited with links to the owner’s contact details. ments. An inquiry from National Geographic TV well as providing an led to our providing them with an image of each If you have rare or interesting materials to increasingly impor- of the 23 species for the "Supercroc" promotion- donate, or know of any specialist collections tant historical record al poster. We also successfully arranged an ARKive should see, please contact: of the world’s endan- exclusive unlimited use of an image to a private [email protected] gered plants and ani- company who will use it on the packaging and www.arkive.org mals. However, these promotional material for a waterproof battery records are scattered Harriet Nimmo, ARKive torch (The 'Gatorlite') for which they will pay throughout a huge $5000, again with credit to the Group on the variety of commer- material. cial, specialist and private collections, Promoting your Species In all cases where the Crocodile Specialist Group with no centrally- Specialist Group Chairs and SSC listserv sub- will receive a donation, I contact the photogra- held catalogue, and scribers were electronically introduced to ARKive pher to confirm again in writing their agreement no means of safe- earlier this year and told, if interest is expressed and to offer to share the revenue. In nearly every guarding them. Much in commercial use of donated images, the owner case the photographers willingly allow the Group is inaccessible and of the image will be contacted directly to under- to keep the donation and occasionally we split it unavailable for pub- take any further negotiations. Perran Ross of the by mutual consent. The only downside to these lic, educational or Crocodile Specialist Group had this to say on the operations is that each image use agreement scientific use. benefits of promoting images of your species. requires several person hours of effort over a period of days, e-mails, phone calls, administra- ARKive is leading the The Crocodile Specialist Group has become tion and servicing. virtual conservation Found in ARKive, images of the a source of crocodilian images for numerous effort–finding, sorting, golden toad educational and commercial uses since estab- Perran Ross, Crocodile Specialist Group Officer 30 31

Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Meeting Announcements Further information Evidence shows that progressive Fortune 500 /actionplanindex.htm and a further 12 Plans are The 7th International Mycological Congress companies have identified the "environment" available, hosted by other organizations Reproduction or License fee—A license allows and "sustainability" as important business - IMC7 the purchaser to use a picture in a certain way, IUCN’s Regional Office for South America issues. This raised awareness benefits wildlife 11 - 16 August 2002, Oslo, Norway once an appropriate fee has been agreed. It announces the launch of the Ecuadorian Birds biologists and the work they do to understand Red List. Information, including a photo gallery, A fantastic opportunity to meet many mycolo- reflects the specific use of the image and is deter- and protect biodiversity. Therefore, acting as a mined by how, where, and size the image is can be found at: http://www.sur.iucn.org gists, to discuss during official symposiums conduit, XN offers unique products and pro- numerous topics also concerning the conservation reproduced, rather than by what the image grams to corporations, each of them built around IUCN Case Studies in Sustainable Use depicts. The more commercial your product, or of fungi worldwide, and to share information carefully designed wildlife conservation initia- The IUCN Sustainable Use Team (SUT) and and experiences. Further information at: the greater scope of your use (the more exposure tives that our AWSs are looking to promote. of the picture), the more costly the fee. NORAGRIC, Agricultural University of Norway http://www.uio.no/conferences/imc7 has published Lessons Learned: Case Studies in As XN evolves, so does the potential role for Contact: IMC7, P.O. Box 24, Blindern, N-0314 Oslo, Examples from the UK: Sustainable Use. Available electronically from Affiliate Wildlife Specialists – from consulting Norway, Email: [email protected] Publication such as a school text book, one country – with an XN client about specific wildlife/habitat the Sustainable Use Specialist Group website the 70 GBP (100 USD) protection options to escorting field expeditions series comprises six technical papers that high- light specific use practices and analyze the social 1st Workshop on Maned Wolf in Argentina Corporate brochure, one country, 5000 copies - 245 or helping with the strategic development of a multi-million dollar initiative. We are committed and biological factors that enhance their sustain- 12 –14 September, 2002, Mburucuy, Corrientes, Argentina GBP (350 USD) ability. The papers use the analytic framework to bringing many benefits to all Affiliate Wildlife The focus is on ex situ and in situ conservation Project: Advertising poster, 100 copies, 3 month run, (see page 29) as a starting point from which to Specialists as our position gains momentum, one country -1074 GBP (1560 USD) analyze marine resource use, forestry regimes, of this threatened canid. For more information whether they are directly involved with present contact: Lucia Soler, Dpto. de Biologia, Website use - 50 GBP (70 USD) Multiple Use Marine Protected Areas, trophy XN initiatives or not. hunting, and community wildlife management. Bioquimica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional For publication, single use, worldwide - 150 GBP Our current activities are numerous and ambi- del Sur (220 USD) The ‘lessons’ gleaned from these cases in some tious. We continue to forge relationships with instances challenge the efficacy of some current San Juan 670, 8000 Bahia Blanca, Argentina, Email: Multiple use worldwide - 350 GBP (510 USD) governmental and non-governmental organiza- thinking in conservation (such as the role of pro- [email protected] The above information was obtained at tions, and attract additional Affiliate Wildlife tected areas) while in other cases they reinforce http://www.bapla.org.uk or via links from there. Specialists. Our work is being received with prevailing thought (such as, participatory meth- Carnivores 2002: From The Mountains To enthusiasm and anticipation. In 2001 we began ods and equitable sharing of benefits). The Sea – Defenders of Wildlife 4th nation- discussions with IUCN-SSC regarding the poten- Nevertheless, because the cases document man- al conference. Bridging the gap between tial to partner on one or more wildlife initiatives, agement systems in such diverse regions and cul- and we look forward to working together. tures, ranging from indigenous peoples in 17 – 20 November 2002, Monterey, California, USA corporations and the Everything XN does is fueled by our commitment Argentina to communities managing protected The conference will focus on the biology and to assist biologists and other scientists with their areas and natural resources in Africa and Central conservation of a full range of marine and ter- Asia, the applicability of the lessons may have work to protect the earth’s precious natural restrial predators. For more information or to natural world some global relevance. resources. We invite the involvement of IUCN- receive a conference brochure contact: New company seeks affiliate biologists For more information contact David Beamont, SSC members and encourage you to communi- Yvonne Borresen, Defenders of Wildlife, 1101 14th St. How can the needs of the environment tie in IUCN Sustainable Use Team, cate with us regarding your ideas and thoughts. NW, Suite 1400, Washington, DC 20005, Email: carni- with the needs of major corporations in mutual- We look forward to helping you. [email protected] ly beneficial ways? XN Institute addresses this vores [email protected], visit question through a venture that bridges the gap Join our growing network of Affiliate Veterinary Specialist Group joint publications www.defenders.org/carnivores2002 between businesses and the natural world. Wildlife Specialists: Contact Chris Morgan (Director Science Strategies): The Veterinary Specialist Group is pleased to The 4th Conference of the Working Group We believe that the critical funding needs of bio- announce the release of two new booklets, joint- [email protected]. diversity conservation can only be met with the ly published by the Specialist Group, the World on Aquatic Birds of the International Tel: + 360 758 4193 (USA Pacific Standard integrated involvement and support of leading Organization for Animal Health, Care for the Society of Limnology (SIL) "Limnology and businesses. To accomplish this, XN works with Time). More information: www.xninstitute.com. Wild International and the European Association Waterbirds 2003" companies to highlight the many ways in which Chris Morgan, XN Institute, Inc. of Zoo and Wildlife Veterinarians. The first book- their involvement and funding can help conser- let, Post-mortem procedures for wildlife veteri- 4 – 9 August 2003, Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada vation. In parallel, we show companies how to narians and field biologists, is recommended to More information and expression of interest form learn from the natural world – from organiza- Publications wildlife veterinarians and biologists as an excel- at: http://www.links.umoncton.ca/lw/ tional structures and processes, to wilderness In Brief lent source of reliable information. The second, Also contact Joseph Kerekes, Email: expeditions and programs that boost company Quarantine and health screening in protocols for [email protected] morale and tie in with relevant conservation The SSC Occasional Paper Links Between wildlife prior to translocation and release in to projects and wildlife specialists. Biodiversity Conservation, Livelihoods and Food the wild, as stated in the forward Security was published as an Occasional Paper at A major part of our work promotes wildlife stew- by Wilbur Amand, is an excellent reference the end of May and launched on the SSC/IUCN ardship as core to business. The beneficiaries of source and will enable the veterinarian to make sites in conjunction with TRAFFIC and FAO. The our programs include XN’s growing global net- rational decisions regarding release. Both work of Affiliate Wildlife Specialists (AWS) Equid Action Plan is now in press, as well as an titles are available from Care for the whose critical work requires exposure and fund- Occasional Paper on shark conservation. The Wild International, [email protected], ing. These professionals recognize the enormous updated Cetaceans Action Plan is progressing well. www.careforthewild.org.uk, 1 Ashfolds, benefits that can be accrued through businesses, With the help of intern Luke Watson, efforts are Horsham Road, Rusper, West Sussex, RH12 4QX. but do not have the time, knowledge or being made to make SSC Action Plans available resources to pursue them. XN serves the scien- online. The SSC website has 10 including the five tific community by creating those connections, updated Galliformes Action Plans at and then managing them. http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/actionplans 32 33

Species 37: January–June 2002 Species 37: January–June 2002 Technical Information

The Species Survival Commission Steering Committee Since the 2nd World Conservation Congress in Mr. Roger RUFE, The Ocean Conservancy representative Amman Jordan, David Brackett, Chair of the Prof. Michael SAMWAYS, Invertebrates Commission, has been carefully building the SSC Steering Committee. The SSC has moved to a Dr. Ulysses S. SEAL, Conservation Breeding Photo Credits governance structure that has a relatively small Prof. Jameson SEYANI, Plant Conservation Committee Cover Scalesia villosa, Executive Committee, with each member of that Deputy Chair Alan Tye committee charged with the management of a Dr. Abdulaziz ABUZINADA, West Asia Page 4 Red Book launch, part of the network or a topic area. There is an Dr. Natalia ANANJEVA, Commonwealth of Sue Mainka SSC Executive focal point for plants, mammals, Independent States Page 6 Marine scoping meeting, birds, invertebrates, marine and so forth. In David Guggenheim addition, there are focal points for programmatic Dr. Jose Marcio AYRES, Brazil areas including the Red List, Species Information Ms. Rebecca DE CRUZ, Southeast Asia Page 11 Jean Christophe Vié Service, Communications, and Trade. Dr. Brahim HADDANE, North Africa Page 15 Jean Christophe Vié The Executive Committee is complemented by a Dr. Véronique HERRENSCHMIDT, Europe Page 18 Plant programme logo, larger Steering Committee that includes mem- Dr. Elena KREUZBERG-MUKHINA, Central Asia designed by Stephen D. Nash bers of the Executive plus a number of new SSC Mr. Roger E. MCMANUS, North America Page 19 AfESG meeting, Regional Vice-Chairs. While the mandate of the Jean Christophe Vié Dr Hector MAGOME, Southern Africa Executive Committee members is bounded by Page 24 Iguana drawing by John Bendon topic, that of the Regional Vice-Chairs is geo- Dr. Jorge RABINOVICH, Southern Cone Page 30 ARKive logo, golden toad, graphic, with a responsibility for promoting Prof. Barry RICHARDSON, Australia interaction among IUCN and SSC members living provided by Harriet Nimmo and working within a particular region. Dr. David C. SMITH, Caribbean Pages 4, 19 Original line drawings The new structure aims to provide a number of Dr. Qin HAI-NING, China by Myles Hourican clear authorities who members can approach with their concerns and comments. The gover- Voluntarism Study – IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN an effective SSC communi- nance structure is in place to ensure the needs of cations network, we need your submissions and the members are heard, and the goals of the SSC Findings available updates for Species. Submissions for Species 38 Strategic Plan are achieved. With the rapid expansion of the SSC network, are due October 21, 2002. Submissions should and the important role Specialist Groups Similarly, IUCN has made a firm commitment to be addressed to: play, there is a recognized danger of over- serving the Commissions and every IUCN region Carolina Caceres, Team Species burdening the network. To clarify these, the has appointed a dedicated focal point for the SSC Executive Committee commissioned a study c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Species Survival Commission. For further infor- on voluntarism. 351 St. Joseph Blvd. mation see www.iucn.org or contact Team Hull, Quebec, K1A 0H3 The study noted SSC, generally, is not a typical Species at [email protected]. CANADA volunteer organization in that the demands Below are the current SSC Steering Committee E-mail: [email protected] placed on its volunteers are variable, unpre- focal points. Please contact [email protected] dictable and rely on their professional expertise. For address changes, notify: for more information on contacting your region- This leads to a critical role for Specialist Group al representative. Species Program Office Chairs as network leaders. SSC Chairs in gener- IUCN Headquarters SSC Steering Committee al are a distinctive group of people who fulfill Rue Mauverney 28 more roles for the SSC, spend more time on SSC Mr. David BRACKETT, SSC Chair CH-1196 Gland, Switzerland and are generally more informed about SSC. Phone: 41 22 999 0151 Dr. Cristian SAMPER, SSC Deputy Chair They are the linchpins of the network. As such, Fax: 41 22 999 0015 Mr. Leon BENNUN, BirdLife International representative Chairs demonstrated an active interest in being E-mail: [email protected] Prof. Luigi BOITANI, Species Information Service more involved in high level decision making – SSC members are also strongly encouraged to and new Chairs want the opportunity to learn Dr. Corazon CATIBOG SINHA, Regionalization subscribe to the SSC e-mail listserver. To do so, from existing Chairs. Mr. Leif CHRISTOFFERSON, Sustainable Use send an e-mail to the following address: The SSC Executive Committee quickly recog- [email protected] Dr. Gustavo FONSECA, Center for Applied Biodiversity nized the large and complex issues that the vol- Science representative untarism study brought into focus. A full day Please include the message "subscribe SSC- Prof. David R. GIVEN, Plant Conservation Committee workshop examining the study, and investigating members" and your e-mail address. Chair possible actions, was incorporated into the Subscriptions Dr. Yoshio KANEKO, Trade October 2001 Executive Committee meeting in Annual subscriptions (two issues) can be order to begin to respond to the issues raised. Dr. Ling-Ling LEE, Communications obtained by writing to the Species Survival The results of the Executive Workshop, including Commission, Dr. Georgina MACE, Red List short-term and long-term actions needed, are avail- c/o Canadian Wildlife Service Dr. Russell MITTERMEIER, Reptiles and Amphibians, able at http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/memonly 351 St. Joseph Blvd., Conservation International representative /voluntarism/intro.htm. For further information, please contact Carolina Caceres at [email protected]. Hull, Quebec Dr. Valery NERONOV, Mammals K1A 0H3 Canada Dr. Ramon PEREZ-GIL, Training E-mail: [email protected] 34 For more information on any item included in this issue, please contact Team Species at [email protected]. Species 37: January–June 2002