notes from the field SUMMER 2016 Exciting New Territory SPECIAL EDITION Expanding the Network WCN STEPS INTO EXCITING NEW TERRITORY t’s no exaggeration to say that the WCN network of conservationists, donors, and staf approach their commitment to protecting wildlife with equal parts I passion and compassion. We are also driven to diversify and broaden our impact. This year we are proud to share that our network is growing; we are supporting new species through three highly efective conservation entrepreneurs: spectacled bears, championed by Robyn Appleton of Spectacled Bear Conservation in Peru, all penguins, whose conservation is hard fought by Dr. Pablo Borboroglu of Global Penguin Society, based in Argentina, and sharks and rays, defended by Dr. Rachel Graham of MarAlliance, based in Belize. While each of these conservationists brings something new and diferent to WCN, they also strengthen the core values of partnership and entrepreneurial innovation that are hallmarks of WCN. As we welcome these partners we find ourselves stepping into exciting new territory — literally expanding our reach into new geographies and doubling our presence in South America. The addition of Spectacled Bear Conservation marks the first time bears join the ranks of the iconic animals our partners protect. Penguins also represent a landmark addition to our network as the first birds to accompany the fifteen plus mammals we support. Additionally, both MarAlliance and 1st BEAR 1st MARINE 1st BIRD Global Penguin Society represent WCN’s most significant venture of land and into the oceans as partners focused CONSERVATIONIST CONSERVATIONIST CONSERVATIONIST on marine conservation. These partnerships aford us the opportunity to carry out multi-species conservation, PARTNER PARTNER PARTNER bolstering the protection of several species of sharks and rays as well as all eighteen species of penguins. With the SPECTACLED SHARKS 18 PENGUIN efects of climate change, overfishing, and pollution rapidly altering conditions in our oceans, there is no better time to apply our model of conservation to protecting marine life. BEARS AND RAYS SPECIES We are thrilled to be bringing these conservationists into PERU WESTERN WORLDWIDE our network and are eager to support them as they protect extraordinary endangered animals on land and at sea. We are honored to introduce Robyn, Pablo, and CARIBBEAN Rachel to you. Spectacled Bear Conservation Predrag Vuckovic ROBYN APPLETON Robyn monitors a bear fitted SPECTACLED BEAR CONSERVATION with a GPS collar prior to it waking up. Collaring is Feeding the Bears necessary to understand these little known bears. irst by motorbike and later on loss largely from agricultural pres- foot, Robyn Appleton spent sures had all but eviscerated the months in northern Peru’s dry sapote. Without sapote the bears F forest looking for spectacled become emaciated, their cubs bears. Without seeing so much can’t survive, females don’t go as a paw print, it looked like she into estrus, and their breeding is might not be in bear country after halted. Laura lost three of her cubs all. Until finally…at last, Robyn saw to this famine. Watching this hap- one far in the distance. Appearing pen was heartbreaking for Robyn, as a tiny black dot moving along but it showed her what needed to the face of an enormous verti- be done to save these bears. cal rock wall, this bear was rock climbing, and moving steadily in Cutting right to the heart of Robyn’s direction. Hours later, it the problem, SBC established a was only a few yards away. conservation plan to protect bears and the indispensable sapote: Long and lean, with extended a dual focus on using scientific claws perfect for climbing clifs, research to learn about the bears this spectacled bear, whom Robyn and the resources they need to be named Laura, would be the fore- healthy, and building partnerships mother to nearly everything the with the local people who can help Spectacled Bear Conservation restore and protect bear habitat. (SBC) team would learn about By improving the quality of life the species’ behavior, biology, of local people and helping to and habitat. The only bear spe- foster their pride and enthusiasm cies in South America, and highly for bears, SBC is building a way endangered, spectacled bears forward for bears to once again are extremely rare; by observing thrive, healthy and well-fed, in a Laura, Robyn began to understand home full of sapote. why there were so few bears left. It wasn’t poaching or pollution Learn more at: that was their primary threat, it wildnet.org/wildlife-programs/spectacled-bear was starvation. Spectacled bears have an ex- tremely limited diet, with only two or three things on the menu; the most important of which is a fruit called sapote. Extensive habitat Spectacled Bear ConservationSpectacledBear DR. RACHEL GRAHAM MARALLIANCE A New Image for Sharks Rachel T. Graham Pete Oxford ost of us have never en- a decades-long career when she countered a shark in the literally bumped into a whale shark “The only thing to fear about sharks is their disappearance from the oceans.” ocean; we’ve only seen while working on a fisheries project M them on television or in in Belize. Massive and imposing, giants certainly helped conservation and rays. Through working closely the movies. On screen the shark, though essentially harmless, very eforts, but Rachel knew that other with the people who live and fish with its muscular body and rows little was known about whale sharks shark species were feared and fished in coastal areas, and focusing on of jagged teeth, plays the part of at the time, so Rachel set out to unsustainably, posing a major chal- sound science and policy reform, the villain—either a savage thug discover as much as possible. Using lenge to their conservation. MarAlliance is taking on marine or a sleek and cunning assassin, early satellite-tagging technology conservation from all angles. Their but always portrayed as a killer. she followed their movements, In 2004, Rachel turned her attention message is clear: the only thing to Dr. Rachel Graham, founder of the and as the whale sharks left Belize, to preserving a variety of marine fear about sharks is their disap- international marine conservation Rachel went with them. Eighteen species and to understanding and pearance from the oceans. organization, MarAlliance, wants to years and a Ph.D. later, she is now changing negative perceptions change that. one of the preeminent experts on of what she calls “toothy” sharks. Learn more at: the species. She worked to recast sharks from wildnet.org/wildlife-programs/shark-ray Rachel has always loved sharks— villains to magnificent animals, as and bats and snakes and just Rachel had remarkable success with critical to the health of the oceans about every misunderstood crea- whale sharks—their populations and as lions are to the savannah. She ture kept of the “cute and cuddly” areas where they congregate are took this work further in 2014 by list. In 1998 Rachel’s natural curios- now protected in several countries. founding MarAlliance to improve the ity about sharks exploded into Whale sharks’ reputation as gentle conservation of threatened sharks DR. PABLO BORBOROGLU GLOBAL PENGUIN SOCIETY 60% of the world’s penguins are threatened or endangered. Fortunately, Pablo and Protecting Penguin Habitat, GPS are making vital strides in research, Big and Small education, and marine management. r. Pablo Borboroglu was Years later, Pablo’s success in destined to study penguins. protecting penguin habitat in- Growing up in Argentina he was creased a thousand-fold. In July D raised on his grandmother’s 2015, UNESCO approved a pro- stories of childhood trips to the posal developed by GPS and the Patagonian coast, meandering along government of Argentina to create dirt roads in a horse-drawn wagon a massive biosphere reserve along for the chance to see the penguins. the coast of Patagonia called “Blue Intrigued and inspired, Pablo’s Patagonia.” Roughly the size of career began to take shape around Belgium and stretching 24 miles protecting these endearing animals. ofshore, Blue Patagonia will ensure Penguins even led Pablo to his wife, the protection of 40% of the global who he first met on a remote island population of Magellanic penguins. research site; she was studying sea lions while he, naturally, was re- That Pablo chose to dedicate his searching penguins. career to penguins is extremely fortunate to the conservation In 1998, Pablo discovered a tiny of these fascinating birds. With penguin colony in Patagonia — the mounting efects of climate home to only six pairs of penguins. change, marine pollution, and poor Reckless beach-goers and fisher- fisheries management, 60% of the men had all but destroyed the colo- world’s penguins are threatened or ny, leaving piles of trash and burn- endangered. Fortunately, Pablo and ing down bushes where penguins GPS are making the vital strides in nest. By this time, Pablo had found- research, education, and marine ed the conservation organization, management necessary for the the Global Penguin Society (GPS). survival of all eighteen penguin GPS considers no penguin colony species around the world. too small to protect. Working with landowners and the local govern- Penguins have greatly enriched ment, GPS helped designate the Pablo’s life, and he in turn has be- area as a legally protected wildlife come one of their most exceptional refuge. Subsequently, as the gar- and efective defenders. He can’t bage was collected and a small, re- help it, it’s destiny. sponsible ecotourism operation was established, the colony returned to Learn more at: wildnet.org/wildlife-programs/penguin nest again. Global Penguin Society Penguin Global ???????????? WCN protects endangered species and preserves their PAID US POSTAGE US natural habitats by supporting OAKLAND, CA PERMIT NO.