ASIAN SPECIES ACTION PARTNERSHIP ANNUAL REPORT 2020 WWW.SPECIESONTHEBRINK.ORG @IUCN_ASAP CONTENTS Rote Island Snake-necked Turtle Chelodina mccordi © Wildlife Reserves Singapore 3 IUCN SSC Asian Species Action Partnership 4 Message from the Chair 5 Message from the Director 6 ASAP impact 7 The impact of COVID-19 8-14 Leveraging funds for ASAP species conservation 8-10 ASAP Species Rapid Action Fund 11-12 ASAP Species Conservation Grants 15 Strengthening regional capacity 16 Raising the profile of ASAP species 17 The Partnership 18 Governance 19 Acknowledgements Cover image: Giant Carp Catlocarpio siamensis © David Tan/Wildlife Reserves Singapore ASAP Annual Report 2020 - Page 2 IUCN SSC ASIAN SPECIES ACTION PARTNERSHIP Vision Species extinctions in Southeast Asia have been averted and wild populations are secure and thriving across their natural range 15 43 reptiles amphibians 246 16 ASAP +1 freshwater 46 mammals 55 birds species* fishes up from 226 at the 87 fishes in Southeast Asia end of 2019 +5 declared extinct in 2020 +28 A significant number of species have been added Freshwater fishes now make up to the ASAP species list during 2020. Much of this increase comes from freshwater fishes, a group which is threatened across Southeast Asia from 35% overfishing (both for consumption and the global of all ASAP species aquarium trade), invasive fish species, pollution, dam construction and habitat loss – scores of peatland “So far, freshwater fishes have received a raw deal in species are threatened from conversion to oil palm conservation terms because – as a group, and even plantations. more so as individual species – they simply do not resonate as much with most people as the big furry In the latest update to the IUCN Red List published and feathery species. It’s a tragic oversight, leading in December 2020, 16 freshwater fishes from to the loss of many species without any serious effort Southeast Asia were declared extinct. A substantial having been made to avert their extinction, or even to portion of these were endemic to Lake Lanao and think critically through what this would involve and the its outflow stream in the Philippines. likelihood of success. ASAP has partnered with Wildlife Reserves Every year’s delay in turning this situation around Singapore and Shoal** to catalyse conservation results in further irreversible losses that could have action for freshwater fishes. In a joint project been avoided.” ‘Action for ASAP fishes’, we are collaborating to identify priority actions and needs for securing fish Will Duckworth, Species Advisor, ASAP populations. *ASAP species are land and freshwater vertebrate species found in Southeast Asia that are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened SpeciesTM ** Shoal is a global partnership, working together to halt the global freshwater crisis ASAP Annual Report 2020 - Page 3 MBCFI mindorensis Garcia MESSAGE FROM Bubalus Jaeger THE CHAIR Jezryl Tamaraw © As the world adjusts to a new way of living, the end of 2020 is a time to pause and reflect on our relationship with nature. It is clear that we must work towards a shift away from practices that are having such devastating impacts, not just on biodiversity, but on human health. If the global pandemic has shown us anything, it is how deeply and intrinsically linked human and wildlife health are. We must learn to treat nature – both species and natural habitats – with much greater respect. We all hope that as COVID-19 vaccines are gradually rolled out, travel, events and other activities can Looking ahead towards 2021 and beyond, the world begin to resume. The IUCN World Conservation can start to recover and rebuild using the lessons Congress is one event that I am particularly hopeful we have learned. The foundation of our new normal to attend at some point in the future and hope should include ambitious commitments for the to see many ASAP Partners at. We also hope that conservation and recovery of species of this planet, the Convention on Biological Diversity meeting and an appreciation for the contribution they make will conclude with a firm commitment from all to human existence. governments to stop extinction and bring about the recovery of all threatened species. Despite being such a difficult year, 2020 has been a significant one for the IUCN SSC Asian Species Until then, I offer my congratulations and heartfelt Action Partnership (ASAP). Thanks to the support thanks to everyone who remained committed to of two donors, including Fondation Segré, ASAP conservation efforts during this unprecedented and has started providing critically important grants to incredibly difficult year. its Partners to help save species on the brink of extinction. You will learn more about this exciting development on the following pages. Simon Stuart Chair of ASAP Governing Council representing IUCN SSC “ If the global pandemic has shown us anything, it is how deeply and intrinsically linked human and wildlife health are.” ASAP Annual Report 2020 - Page 4 delacouri Trachypithecus Hiep Langur Manh MESSAGE FROM THE Nguyen DIRECTOR Delacour’s © This year a global pandemic has affected every aspect of our lives. COVID-19 has led to many sacrifices and challenges and we are devastated by the impact it has had on so many people around the world. We offer our deepest condolences to everyone who has been affected. The year has also shown how incredibly resilient we can be in the face of change, and it has been inspiring to see the immense commitment to conservation despite the difficult circumstances. Amid the height of the COVID-19 pandemic we With the launch of Mandai Nature, we are delighted launched our first ever ASAP grant programmes; to see greater attention to the conservation first the ASAP Species Rapid Action Fund, followed challenges facing this region. Mandai Nature will also closely by the ASAP Species Conservation Grants. be hosting the ASAP secretariat and we are looking We’re delighted to support our Partners financially forward to working together on our shared goals. during such a challenging time and help ensure the As we start a new chapter, we would like to thank expansion of such vital conservation work for ASAP Wildlife Reserves Singapore for their unwavering species. support over the years, as well as to all our donors. We are always grateful for your belief in our work, With over 160 ASAP Partners, we are a diverse and that is true more than ever this year. group, aligned in our goal to avert species extinctions in this region. In the coming years, we will continue We remain optimistic that 2021 will be a turning to create a stronger ASAP community, providing point for biodiversity conservation and we thank networking opportunities to bring ASAP Partners you all for your ongoing dedication and passion for together and establish a space for knowledge the incredible species of Southeast Asia. and skills sharing, and peer-to-peer support to strengthen species conservation efforts. Nerissa Chao Director, ASAP As 2021 begins, we are extremely excited about the year ahead. We will be opening a second round of ASAP species conservation grants and will be offering training programmes for ASAP Partners for the first time. ASAP Annual Report 2020 - Page 5 mindorensis Crocodylus Weerd Crocodile van ASAP IMPACT Merlijn Philippine © In the face of a global pandemic, ASAP Partners have demonstrated a continued dedication to conservation. Nearly all More thanUSD 75,000 ASAP Partners have seen their work related to ASAP species impacted by given directly to support ASAP species conservation COVID-19, either directly or indirectly. Here are just a few examples of the ways ASAP Partners have adapted and innovated to continue making an impact At least: in 2020. occasions of advising donors and 21 Partners “Telemedicine worked well for the rehabilitation of one rescued Philippine Eagle during the time of pandemic. This eagle was eventually released in the matchmaking connections made for 16 funding and catalysing conservation wild.” Jayson Carungay Ibanez, Philippine Eagle Foundation ASAP Partners supported in capacity 16 development “The research part of our work in the field has remained a real challenge but the education part has managed to proposals for projects targeting ASAP work beautifully with online courses + species reviewed for other donors 15 and lectures and social media live streams of discussions and debates about conservation issues. This has shone a light on our staff creativity A resource pack and involvement.” provided online exclusively for ASAP Partners Julie Duboscq, PINA e.V. (MNP/PKT) ASAP Annual Report 2020 - Page 6 Weerd THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 van Philippines ON ASAP PARTNERS Baggao, ©Merlijn In December 2020, ASAP Partners were asked how their work on ASAP species had been affected by COVID-19. Alongside the devastating human toll of the pandemic, the results below from the 64 respondents show just how huge of an impact it has had on the world of conservation. Has COVID-19 affected your work related to ASAP species, directly or indirectly? 80 3% 3% 70 60 50 respondents 40 of 30 20 Percentage 10 94% 0 No Unse Ys nin Yes No Unse Yes - travel restrictions Ys ocurn f Yes - access to field sites Yes - overall activity delays in an sis Has COVID-19 reduced your funding for ASAP species, directly or indirectly? If yes, from which sources? 80 6% 17% 70 60 50 40 19% 30 respondents 47% of 20 10 11% 0 Percentage Zs Ys ss of ss Ys ss f Corporats Foundations Govnnt an betwn 10-50% TisisiorsIniia ns Gran ogras Ys ss f Not se No over ASAP Annual Report 2020 - Page 7 To maximise the survival chances of ASAP species in the long-term, the funding available for conservation projects needs to be drastically increased.