Issue No 43 - Spring 2013

WLTnewsInside this issue...• Chris Packham, a new

patron for WLT

• Buy an Acre land purchases

• Saving Orang-utans andCaucasian Leopards

• News from our Keepers ofthe Wild

• Lots of opportunities to have your say. We listen

ISSUE No. 43 SPRING 2013

Saving Real Acresin Real Places

2 www.worldlandtrust.org

World Land TrustBlyth House, Bridge Street

Halesworth, SuffolkIP19 8AB, UK

Tel: 01986 874422Fax: 01986 874425

Email:[email protected]

A wildlife fanatic for as long as he canremember, Chris Packham’s parentsrecall how he tried to ‘collect’ creaturesthat crept and crawled across theirgarden lawn before he could even walk.With a life-long commitment to wildlife,we were delighted when Chris acceptedthe invitation to become the Trust’sthird patron. When accepting he said:

I have known the work of World LandTrust, and its CEO John Burton, almostsince it was established in 1989. I share itsphilosophy in terms of working throughin-country project partners and raisingfunds for them to purchase and protectthreatened lands as nature reserves toprotect their biodiversity.

John was always very supportive in theearly days of my career and I havedonated the Public Lending Rights in mybooks to WLT’s Green Ink project for thepast 10 years. I am looking forward tobeing more involved.

Chris Packham joins Sir David Attenborough and David Gower as a Patron of WLT

‘Saving Real Acres in Real Places’ is a strap-line thatWorld Land Trust (WLT) regularly uses. But does itdescribe us as best we can?

Feedback from supporters is that they support usbecause we ‘do a good job’ and they trust us to usetheir donation effectively and wisely. Some complainthat we are not well enough known and we shouldpromote ourselves more. This ties in closely with thequestion what does the WLT ‘brand’ stand for? Weare very lucky in having Stephen Brunskill, a seniormanager from BT, seconded to work for us for sixmonths and the key issue he is looking at isidentifying the WLT ’brand’. Armed with theinformation he gleans we must communicate ourmessage better, and to a wider audience, whilekeeping our niche clear.

Pondering this, I thought of the old adage‘Action speaks louder than words’. In our contextthis translates as ‘Conservation not conversation’.

If I look at the amount of money that has beenspent on conservation conferences and research overthe years, I come to the conclusion that there wouldbe less of a conservation crisis if that same moneyhad been spent on acquiring land. Of courseconferences and meetings have a vital role to play -our own symposia with our partner organisationshave amply demonstrated the value of face to face

meetings. But all too often big conferences do littlemore than fuel the egos of the attendees.

Time is running out: there is less land available forwildlife, and prices are escalating. So we have toaccelerate our activities before it is too late. And WLThas to become better known, in order to raise moremoney. Maybe our strapline should be ‘Cash andSave, not Slash and Burn’. Seriously though, wewould love to know what you think WLT’s straplineshould be. Something that will grab attention, andinspire others like you, to support us.

John A Burton, Chief Executive

John would love to know what you think makesWLT different and maybe you could even suggesta strapline for us. Email: jburton@worldlandtrust,or send a note to him at the address on the left.

London Event: Spreading the word16 April, Charlotte Street HotelWe have a few spare places. Read more aboutthis event on page 11.

Chris Packham with former WLTIntern, Katharine Parkes, at theannual Birdfair, Rutland Water.

What makes the WLT different?

Saving Real Acres in Real Places?

I feel I know a lot aboutthe Trust already, fromspeaking with John

Burton and sharing manyof his views on

conservation prioritiesand population issues.

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Left: One thing that makes WLT different is theclose relationships we build with our overseasproject partner organisations. Here JohnBurton (right) is chatting with Alberto Yanosky,Executive Director of Guyra Paraguay. WLT has

already funded land purchase in the Atlanticrainforest and Chaco-Pantanal and mostrecently, our collaboration has focussed onusing carbon offsetting to finance protection offorests under imminent threat.

Bolivia is WLT’s newest Buy an Acreproject. Since the beginning of the yearWLT has been raising funds to supportthe extension of the Barba Azul NatureReserve in Bolivia’s Beni savanna.

The land purchase is important becauseBeni savanna is home to an extraordinaryrange of flora, fauna and endangeredspecies, and is the only site in the worldwith large groups of endangered Blue-throated Macaw. There are thought to befewer than 350 Blue-throated Macawssurviving in the wild and they depend onthe Motacu palm (Attalea phalerata),which grows in the forest islands of Benisavanna, for food and nesting cavities.

It’s about ensuringlong term survivalof wildlifeThe Barba Azul Reserve currentlyprotects 11,530 acres (4,450 hectares).By extending the protected savanna,the reserve can provide more habitatfor threatened species such as theJaguar, Puma, and Maned Wolf as wellas the Blue-throated Macaw.

This Marsh Deer was captured by cameraon the reserve by Glasgow Universitystudents. There have been several recordsof the species on the reserve, but this isthe first photograph. Part of the protectionmanagement of the Barba Azul Reservewill be to protect this vulnerable species.

The Marsh Deer is a landscape speciesthat is particularly threatened by huntingfor its large size. The Beni savannamaintains a small isolated population. Theextension of the Barba Azul Nature Reservewill greatly assist our efforts to protectthis species.

New Ramsar siteincludes the BenisavannaIn February 2013, to mark InternationalWorld Wetlands Day, the RamsarConvention on Wetlands of InternationalImportance designated a new 6.9 millionhectare Ramsar site, the Llanos de Moxosin the south west corner of the Amazonbasin. The Barba Azul Nature Reserve willform part of the new Ramsar site, thelargest ever designated.

While this international recognition isgratifying it should be viewed as only astep in the right direction. Ongoingconservation efforts are urgently neededon the ground if the threatened sites areto gain long term protection.

Help us save more landin Bolivia while it is stillrelatively cheap: pricescan’t last.New Project Brief

The Bolivia ProjectBrief is now available.Please phone the WLToffice for a copy ordownload from ourwebsite:

www.worldlandtrust.org/documents/project-briefs/bolivia-brief.pdf

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The Toco Toucan (Ramphastos toco) is the largest and probably the bestknown species in the toucan family. It is found in semi-open habitatsthroughout a large part of central and eastern South America and the Benisavanna of Bolivia provides a stronghold.

Buy an Acre project: Bolivia

Saving land for just £100 an acre, forever

Project Brief: BoliviaSaving threatened land in the Beni savanna

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R

Ruth Canning/WLT (macaws), Kevin Cox

(

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Bennett Hennessey,Executive Directorof AsociaciónArmonía says

The Beni savannas are seriouslyunderstudied. Much of the data wehave is based on assumptions by peoplelooking at the area from far away. TheBeni savannas area often lumped withthe Argentinian savannas - as they sharemany of the same grassland birds, butthe Beni region is quite distinct, notbeing connected to the Argentinasavannas, and Beni being a tropicalsavanna, not temperate like Argentina.

There are many species whichpotentially are endemic to the Benisavannas, mammals and birds. A studyof the Pink River Dolphin found thetaxon in Beni to be completely separatefrom the Amazonian species, thusendemic to Beni.

Also on biodiversity - it should be notedthe importance of the Beni savanna formigrant birds of southern SouthAmerica. It is a very important winteringarea for many species. And intensivecattle ranching practices mean thehabitat is seriously altered, especially forspecies that require tall grass forbreeding.

1,869 acres beingadded to LasTangaras ReserveIt is the mission of ProAves, WLT’sconservation partner in Colombia, toprotect the biodiversity of the countryfrom surging development and urbanexpansion.

Ruth Canning, WLT’s ConservationProgrammes Officer, has visited theProAves reserves funded by WLT and she iswell aware of the challenges they face,saying:

In the Las Tangaras Reserve a Violet-tailed Sylph (a Chocóendemic) takes advantage of a bird feeder put up by ProAvesfor staff and visitors to observe the rainforest birds at closerproximity. Las Tangaras Reserve was the focus for Buy anAcre funding in Colombia in 2012, and we can now report thatthe purchase of 1,869 acres (756 hectares) to extend thisreserve is nearing completion.

Buy an Acre projectSave One Acre for £100 with WLTSee donation form enclosed ordonate online:www.worldlandtrust.org


Buy an Acre project: Colombia

Extending Las Tangaras Reserve

New reserve forprimatesMeanwhile, with the support of WLTand WLT-US, ProAves are proceedingwith the purchase of seven newproperties in north-west Colombia toform a new reserve.

Reserva Natural TitiTogether the seven new properties beingpurchased will form a new reserve: ReservaNatural Titi.

Consisting of largely pristine lowlandforest between the Darian highlands andthe Colombian Andes, the new reserve iscrucial for two of the most endangeredprimates in the world: the Cotton-topTamarin (Saguinus oedipus) and the Black-headed Spider Monkey (Ateles fusciceps),both classified as Critically Endangeredby IUCN.

Cotton-top wild population numbersare estimated at just 2,000 mature

individuals and to date only one small,isolated population is protected inColombia. The Black-headed SpiderMonkey is extremely rare and little known.

Population estimates are between 70-100individuals in the proposed reserve but it isheavily hunted as locals believe it curesmalaria. There is no other knownprotected population in Colombia.

For a two year period prior toproposing the land purchase, ProAvescarried out expeditions into the region tostudy a block of privately owned lowlandrainforest. These studies discoveredstronghold populations of both Cotton-top Tamarin and Black-headed SpiderMonkey. The reserve is also home toJaguar and tracks are found daily, but themammals are heavily hunted at present.Spectacled Bear are also reported to be inthe area.

Buy an Acre project in 2013

Cotton-top Tamarins are thoughtto number less than 2,000 adults inthe wild. New land purchase willprotect them.

The hard work of the

rangers and ProAves staff was

clearly visible as we travelled

between reserves. Deforestation

for cattle ranching was evident

in the surrounding areas, as

was the level of deforestation

to make way for coffee

plantations.

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613 acres SAVEDthrough Buy an AcreThanks to Buy an Acre funds, WLT hashelped Nature and Culture Ecuador (NCI)to purchase 613 acres (249 hectares) ofthreatened Tumbesian tropical forest toadd to the Laipuna Reserve, in south-westEcuador.

670 acres SAVED through Carbon BalancedWLT’s Carbon Balanced programme hasalso recently funded land purchase atLaipuna, adding an additional 670 acres(271 hectares) of protected Tumbesiantropical forest. This is the first time thatfunds from WLT’s Carbon Balancedprogramme have been used forTumbesian habitat.

The Laipuna Reserve now protectsa total of 5,197 acres(2,103 hectares) of criticallythreatened Tumbesian dry forest.

Protection outsidereserves is weakWith less than 5 per cent of Tumbesianforests remaining, saving what is left is ahigh priority.

Laipuna is part of a larger area coveringroughly 247,000 acres (100,000 hectares)of high quality dry forest straddling theborder of southern Ecuador and northwestern Peru. Both the Ecuadorian andthe Peruvian Governments recognise thishabitat as a priority for conservation buteven so, the forests in this area facenumerous threats, especially fromexpanding farms.

Laipuna: protectinga wildlife gene bank Almost 20 per cent of the plant species inthe Laipuna Reserve, in addition to eightspecies of mammals and 55 bird speciesare endemic, and found only in thisecosystem. Thirteen species are consideredendangered, and over 21 species ofamphibians and reptiles have beenidentified, two of which are awaitingclassification. Mammals found in theLaipuna Reserve include Puma, River Otter,Collared Peccary and Sechuran Fox.Despite habitat loss and deforestationoutside the reserve, the region still retains

outstanding wildlife value. But existingforest patches, threatened by expandingfarmland, are often too small to makethem viable for the survival of manyspecies long-term.

Companies contributing to this recentland purchase at Laipuna, throughCarbon Balancing their unavoidableemissions, include Tucan Travel, Nikwax,Call Assist, Euromonitor International,Team Aqua, Lovehoney, MaryvaleFarms and Wildlife Travel. We thank theseand other companies and individualswho have helped save this particularpiece of vital Tumbesian dry forest.

Buy an Acre projectSave One Acre for £100 with WLTSee donation form enclosed ordonate online:www.worldlandtrust.org

Buy an Acre / Carbon Balanced project: Ecuador

Laipuna Reserve extended, saving Tumbesian dry forest

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Below: One of the rare species protected by the Laipuna Reserve is theSechuran Fox (Lycalopex sechurae), also known as the Peruvian Desert Foxor the Sechuran zorro. This species is closely related to other South American“false” foxes or zorro, of which it is the smallest. It is only found in southwestern Ecuador and north western Peru in Tumbesian habitat.

Belonging to thebutterwort family,(Pinguiculacalderoninae), isendemic to thisregion of Mexico.Roberto Pedrazawas lucky enoughto photographflowering plants onhis recent field trip.


The Cerro de laLuz-Cerro Prietoreserve extendedSince 2011, Buy an Acre funds havebeen used to purchase land in Mexico’sSierra Gorda region in the state ofQueretaro, working with WLT’spartner, Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda(GESG).

In the last newsletter (Issue No 42,Winter 2012), we reported on a newpurchase of 564 acres. Since then, WLThas provided funding to extend the Cerrode la Luz-Cerro Prieto reserve. Thepurchase comes not a moment too soonas illegal loggers have been strippinghighly prized trees, such as pines,junipers and cedars, from the forestedland which will now be protected.

Living laboratoryOf the reserve Roberto Pedraza Ruiz,GESG’s Technical Officer, says: “This is a living laboratory where plantshave evolved into unique species onlyfound in a small area. The reserve alsocontains magnificent limestoneformations, where the karst is barelycovered so there are jagged peaks, bigfractured rocks and deep sinkholes.

Recent surveys by botanists haveresulted in several new discoveries.Endemic species have been found, as wellas others that are currently beingdescribed (Agavaceae, Cactaceae andLentibulariaceae) highlighting theexceptional botanical value of the flora ofthe area and the need to protect it.”

Roberto Pedraza recently visited the newproperty, now part of the Cerro de la LuzReserve. He reports:

“This is one of the highest peaks inthe eastern part of the Sierra Gorda,rising to 8,858 feet, and real wilderness;home to Jaguars and Pumas.

One of the reasons I wanted to makethis long hike was not in search of bigcats but to try and find a tiny endemicbutterwort, (Pinguicula calderoninae), thatI was led to believe grows just in thenorth cliff face of this mountain. Andthere it was, in bloom too. The beautifulbright pink flowers are surrounded byamazing leaves, which are incrediblylong and almost like tentacles - the plantuses them to trap moths and flies.

An extra gift of the trip was watchinga flock of rare Maroon-fronted Parrotsendemic to a northern part of this samemountain range and first recorded herein 1998. It was incredible to hear theirshrieks well above 10,000 feet, and thenjust before sunset a flock of them headedto the forests of the new reserve. It is agood feeling to know that we areprotecting their food source - conifersand their cones! Thanks to WLTsupporters on their behalf.”

The Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reservecovers an area of over 946,000 acres(383,000 hectares) consisting of 15 typesof vegetation including evergreen anddeciduous tropical forest, shrubs andcacti, oak forests, pine forests and cloudforests.

Field ReportFew of us, whether staff or supporters,have the chance to visit WLT fundedprojects abroad, but in November lastyear, Ruth Canning (WLT ConservationProgrammes Officer), spent a monthworking in GESG’s office in Jalpan. Forsome of her stay she was joined by BethanJohn, WLT’s former Assistant Editor, who isspending 18 months travelling at her ownexpense to work with WLT’s LatinAmerican project partners.

Accompanied by Roberto, and GESG’sKeeper of the Wild Abel Reséndiz, Ruthand Bethan visited several of the reservesand were impressed to see at first-handwhat WLT had helped save.

Read the latest news and Bethan’s RovingReporter blog on our website:www.worldlandtrust.org/news/index

Buy an Acre project: MexicoExtending the Cerro de la Luz-Cerro Prieto ReserveFinding rare endemic species

The northern border of the newly purchased extension to the Cerrode la Luz Reserve in the Sierra Gorda mountains of Mexico.


Roberto with Bethan John (centre)and Ruth Canning in the forestsprotected with help from WLT.

By the end of 2012, the land purchase ofthe Laguna Grande-Sarstún Reserve inGuatemala had been completed thanks todonations through Buy an Acre. WLTcontinues to support Guatemalan partner,FUNDAECO, through the Keepers of theWild ranger programme.

Leverage effectNow that funding has been achieved forthis reserve it is the responsibility of WLT’spartner, FUNDAECO to manage andprotect it. In the autumn of 2012, JohnBurton, WLT CEO, made a site visit toGuatemala at the suggestion ofFUNDAECO’s General Director, MarcoCerezo. The visit was designed to enableJohn to meet with several business leadersto introduce them to the idea of

environmentalphilanthropy. Marcobelieved that if Johncould describe WLT'ssuccessfulconservation workworldwide, and theTrust's ongoingpartnership withFUNDAECO, then keyrepresentatives ofcompanies in Guatemala would beinspired to offer financial support.

There was an immediate result when onebusiness pledged a donation ofUS$27,000 over the next two years.

"This is the first major donation to aconservation project to be made by a

private sector company to FUNDAECO”,said John “and it suggests that there is awillingness among business leaders tosupport local conservation projects.Private sector firms in the northernhemisphere know that 'going green'makes good business sense. Now at lastthat concept is gaining traction in LatinAmerica."

Buy an Acre: funding completed

Land purchase success in Guatemala1,668 acres (675 hectares) acres saved

An aerial photograph of theLaguna Grande-Sarstún Reserve inGuatemala protected by WLTpartner organisation FUNDAECO.

The intricate network of lagoonsprovide vital wildlife habitat that ishome to at least 140 species ofplants, including four species ofmangroves and two species of seagrasses. It harbours 148 birdspecies, 116 species of amphibiansand reptiles, and 18 fish species.There are at least 52 mammals inthe reserve, including Jaguar,Puma and manatee.

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Mission accomplished

The Mexican Black Howler Monkey, classed as CriticallyEndangered finds a safe haven in the Laguna Grande-Sarstún Reserve.

While in Guatemala JohnBurton (centre) was able topresent Ricardo Coc Caal (left)with a digital camera. Camerashave been donated by Olympusto WLT for use on project sitesfor monitoring wildlife andrecording environmentaldamage. On the right is MarcoCerezo of FUNDAECO. Ricardois funded through the Keepersof the Wild programme.

Thank you for helpingsave the LagunaGrande-Sarstún ReserveLand purchase is completed. Yoursupport has helped save 1,668 acres(675 hectares) of tropical rainforest anda system of lagoons considered to beone of the most threatened habitats inthe Caribbean Guatemala region. Thisland purchase affords greater protectionto a whole region as the Belizean sideof the river is already a National Park.

Following a site visit by journalistsand WLT’s Mary Tibbett to Borneolast November, the Trust is moredetermined than ever to conserverainforest habitat for endangeredwildlife.

The fact-finding visit to the LowerKinabatangan district in MalaysianBorneo revealed the full horror of theeffects of the palm oil industry onnatural forest.

Despite massive loss of habitat, theKinabatangan remains a bastion forbiodiversity. It is home to ten species ofprimate, including Proboscis Monkeys,and eight species of hornbill, along withlarge populations of Orang-utan andPygmy Elephants.

WLT’s conservation partner inMalaysian Borneo, HUTAN has justcelebrated its 15th anniversary and as thedust settles on the celebrations, HUTAN ispreparing for its next great challenge, tocreate a wildlife corridor along theKinabatangan River.

To assist HUTAN, WLT is focusingefforts on raising £1 million pounds forland purchase in Borneo. Last autumn anarticle in The Times by WLT Councilmember Simon Barnes triggered publicinterest in WLT’s Borneo RainforestAppeal. Since Simon’s article waspublished, WLT has been receivingdonations to the Borneo appeal,including a substantial, private donationof £10,000 at the beginning of March.This support is gratifying and we believeit is possible to raise £1 million.

Funds raised will be used to purchasecontiguous parcels of land along theKinabatangan River to create a wildlifecorridor for Orang-utan and otherendangered species. If current rates ofhuman encroachment continue theBornean Orang-utan is at risk ofextinction within 35 years.

While WLT is raising funds for urgentland purchase in Borneo HUTAN staffare approaching landowners alongthe Kinabatangan River corridor witha view to negotiating agreementsof sale.

A time forpioneering solutionsIsabelle Lackman, the Director of HUTAN,believes that:

Life in the fieldOngoing monitoring and protection ofthe reserves continue. Berjaya, a HUTANranger, whose post is supported byWLT’s Keepers of the Wild fund, sendsregular reports of his activities. Hereported that during January increasingthe number of river patrols in the lowerpart of the Kinabatangan successfullyprevented illegal timber harvesting inthe forests of the Lower KinabatanganWildlife Sanctuary during the monsoon.

Read more about Berjaya’s work as aWLT Keeper of the Wild on page 10.

Help saveOrang-utansTo donate, visitwww.worldlandtrust.org or use the donation form insert.


The MillionPound AppealIf we are able to raise thesefunds it will be possible toconnect the Keruak VirginForest Reserve with thelarger Lower KinabatanganWildlife Sanctuary bypurchasing property alongthe river. River habitat issome of the most importantfor Orang-utans.

Batu Putih

Bilit

SukauLot 1

Lot 2

Lot 4

Lot 3

Lot 5

Lot 6

Lot 7

Lot 8

Lot 9

Lot10a

Kinabatangan River

A5

A5

Bukit Garam

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Help WLT save species from extinction Saving: forest corridors for Orang-utans and adding protectionfor Pygmy Elephants in Borneo

Pioneering solutions areneeded to improve theconnectivity betweenisolated wildlife habitatfragments. With supportfrom WLT’s Borneo Orang-utan Appeal we will workto ensure the long-termconservation of Sabah’sunique biodiversity, and torestore more harmoniousrelationships between

people and wildlife sharingthe same ecosystems.

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Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary

Various Forest Reserves

Various Mangrove Reserves

Two Priority Wildlife Corridors

Roads Villages

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Special Appeal

The project area

BORNEO

KALIMANTAN(Indonesia)

SARAWAK(Malaysia)

SABAH(Malaysia) •

2013 BreakingnewsThere is now confirmed evidence thatthe endangered Caucasian Leopard ispresent in the Caucasus WildlifeRefuge, which WLT supporters helpedcreate.

In February 2013 the Tisch FamilyZoological Gardens in Jerusalem carriedout genetic tests on samples of scat andfur and confirmed that they are from theCaucasian Leopard, as had been hoped.This recent finding has boostedconservation efforts enormously. Rangershave stepped up measures to protect thereserve, and to monitor any sites wherethe Caucasian Leopard may be present.With your help we can ensure the survivalof Caucasian Leopards in this, possiblytheir last refuge in Armenia.

Confirmation ofLeopard in theRefuge has boostedmorale and effortsRuben Khachatryan, founder of WLT’spartner organisation in Armenia,Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlifeand Cultural Assets (FPWC), describes theimportance of the scientific proof.

Mary Tibbett, Conservation ProgrammesOfficer at WLT, adds: “This proof is a greatboost to conservation efforts in Armenia.Although possibly reduced to as few as15 animals in Armenia, the CaucasianLeopard subspecies is resilient and webelieve it can be saved. But if it is toprosper in the wild, we need moreresearch and monitoring, improved

protection for habitat, and tougher actionagainst hunters and poachers. If we don’ttake steps now, it may be too late.”

The Caucasian Leopard is the largestsubspecies of leopard. In recent years,their population has been devastated byuncontrolled hunting.

Leopards don’tknow borders“Leopards don’t know borders”,explains Ruben. “Their migrationroutes cover not only a corridorthrough Armenia but also reach out toIran and Azerbaijan. Much more fieldexploration is necessary to map andunderstand this regional leopardcorridor.”

FPWC is working to strengthenregional cross-border cooperation in orderto form a leopard coalition unitingrelevant NGOs and governmentalinstitutions in all countries of the SouthCaucasus. Says Ruben “The involvementof international partners such as WLT andIUCN Netherlands is of vital importancefor this process.”

Caucasus WildlifeRefuge ExtendedFPWC has successfully agreed a leaseof 2,718 acres (1,100 hectares) of landto extend the Caucasus WildlifeRefuge.

The agreement brings to a successfulconclusion negotiations that started lastautumn. The territory in question is onthe southern border of the KhosrovForest State Reserve, and a 25-year leasehas been negotiated. As an unexpectedbonus, and due to FPWC’s skillednegotiations, the total area to beleased is 741 acres (300 hectares)more than the initial target of 1,977acres (800 hectares). This means thatall three existing areas of the CaucasusWildlife Refuge will now connect to theKhosrov reserve.

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Armenia is a landlocked country bordered byGeorgia, Azerbaijan, Iran and Turkey. It isimportant for migratory animals with about350 bird species recorded in the country.

Research suggests that about a quarter of theanimal species in Armenia are internationallyendangered.

Location of the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge

Help WLT save species from extinction

Extended: the Caucasus Wildlife Refuge in ArmeniaIt’s official: Caucasian Leopards confirmed in the Refuge

It demonstrates beyondany doubt that this

majestic but unfortunatelyhighly endangered

predator still occurs inArmenia and that ourefforts to protect itshabitat are not in vain.

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Help save theCaucasian LeopardTo donate, visitwww.worldlandtrust.org or use the donation form insert.

Special Appeal

Danjugan Island: a land purchase success


In November 2012 Charity (Chai) Apalebecame WLT’s second female Keeper ofthe Wild. A marine biologist, Chaiworks on Danjugan, a small but veryimportant tropical island in the Visayangroup in the Philippines, saved by WLT.

“The best aspect of working on thereserve is doing the things that I’mpassionate about,” Chai told WLT.

Danjugan Island, along with itsfringing reefs, was in urgent need ofprotection in the 1990s when theisland’s owners were consideringselling to unsympathetic developers.Thanks to donations from WLT’ssupporters, the island was saved in2000 and has been protected ever

since as Danjugan Island MarineReserve and Sanctuaries (DIMRS).

Chai, working for WLT’s projectpartner, Philippine Reef and RainforestConservation Foundation (PRRCFI),coordinates their conservationprogramme. This includes protectingthe reserve from poachers and illegalfishing activities, coordinating researchstudies, and developing communityactivities including mangrove treeplanting and coastal clean-up events.Chai is a marine biologist and has aparticular interest in marine life aroundthe island, especially the Giant Clams(Tridacna gigas), which measure up toone metre across.

Coverpicture

This photograph of a wild SpectacledBear was taken on the FundaciónEcoMinga reserve in Ecuador. It wastaken by a WLT Keeper of the Wild,Luis Recalde, and it was taken on what isnow the Naturetrek Reserve, purchasedwith funds made available by UK wildlifetour operator, Naturetrek.

Luis saw the bear when he was anhour or two from home, but he didn'thave his camera with him. He ran downthe mountain and got his camera andran back, and the bear was still there,eating fruit! This is one of many photoshe took that day.

Berjaya Elahan, funded throughWLT’s Keepers of the Wild,helps safeguard 49,420 acres(20,000 hectares) of protectedforest in the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain, in Sabahin NE Borneo. Living locally in the village of Sukau,alongside the Kinabatangan River, ranger Berjaya worksfor WLT partner organisation HUTAN. He has a huge

responsibility watching over some ofBorneo’s most iconic species and is on call24 hours a day, seven days a week in casethere are reports of hunting or illegal fellingof trees within the protected area. He loveshis job and would like more training tocontinue improving his conservationknowledge. He would really appreciate morerangers to help with this work.

Keepers of the Wild: WLT supports 22 reserve rangers throughKeepers of the Wild, but more areneeded to help protect reserves.

See donation form enclosed or donateonline: www.worldlandtrust.org

A big job forBerjaya in Borneo

Spotlight: Keepers of the Wild

Danjugan Island, PhilippinesEcuador and Borneo

Above: Fundación EcoMingaranger, Luis Recalde, is fundedthrough WLT’s Keepers of theWild appeal. Here he identifies asnake found at the CerroCandelaria Reserve.

Please complete the questionnaireon the back of the letter insert inthis newsletter and return to WLTOffice, Blyth House, Bridge Street,Halesworth, Suffolk IP19 8AB.

We really appreciate your responsewhich will help us to decide. Thank you.

Last December WLT took part in the BigGive Christmas Challenge which raisedover £90,000 for Keepers of the Wild.

This was a wonderful amount to raise butsome supporters believe that WLT shouldrun its own online fundraising campaignalong the lines of the Big Give. Clearlythere are pros and cons, but two of ourdonors have neatly summed up the twosides of the argument.

Dominic believes that with a longerdonations period (it was only for threedays last year) WLT will have a rewardingresponse, as well as being free from BigGive’s admin fees of 4%.

John Smart, on the other hand,believes that the Big Give offers a greatopportunity to focus fundraising effortsthrough a major national appeal.

John commented that the Big Givewebsite worked better in 2012 and evenreferring back to 2011 when there were

problems, he commented that “thedetermined won through”.

It is worth noting that the Big Giveonly matches online donations. If WLTwere to run its own challenge then alldonations would be matched.

So, what do you think?Should we take part in the 2013 Big GiveChristmas Challenge? Or should we takeon the challenge and extra commitmentof running one ourselves?

Spreading the wordA WLT London event to be heldat the Charlotte Street Hotel, 5-7 Charlotte Street, W1T 1RJ

16 April, 6 - 8.30pm

Join us for a lively evening of briefinspirational presentations on how to putacross the WLT message. Speakersinclude acclaimed children’s authorNicola Davies, writer and journalistSimon Barnes and TV presenter Su Ingle.We have ten tickets to give to supporterson a first come first served basis.To claim your ticket phone: Viv Burton01986 874 422 or email:[email protected]

Photo credits: Cover: Luis Recalde; Page 2: WLT(both); Page 3: Paul B Jones (toucan), Ross Macleod(macaws), Glasgow University (deer); Page 4: ProAves(hummingbird), Dmitry Kovtun / Shutterstock.com(tamarin); NCI (sign), Roland Seitre/naturepl.com(fox); Page 6: Roberto Pedraza Ruiz (all); Page 7: RobinMoore (aerial shot), Kevin Schafer/naturepl.com(monkey), WLT (group); Page 8: Sergey Uryadnikov /Shutterstock.com; Page 9: Vasiliy Koval /Shutterstock.com; Page 10: PRRFCI (Chai), WLT(Danjugan Island and Berjaya Elahan), Luis Recalde(bear), Fundacion EcoMinga; Back page: ZhouZhefeng (camera-trap).

Dear WLT:

Should we join the Big Give Christmas Challenge this year? Have your say and we will listen

11

Patrons:Sir David Attenborough OM CH, FRSDavid Gower OBE, Chris Packham

Honorary President:Dr Gerard A Bertrand

Trustees:Myles Archibald (Hon Treasurer),Sir Kenneth Carlisle, Gil Child, RohiniFinch (Chair of Trustees), Simon Lyster,Bruce Pearson, Jonathan Self, Dr NigelSimpson, Andrew von PreussenCouncil Members:Dr Simon Barnes, Dr Diana Bell,Mark Carwardine, Kevin Cox, Dr LeeDurrell, Willem Ferwerda, AlistairGammell, Robert Giles, Mark Leaney,Alan Martin, Bill Oddie, Iain Orr,Richard Porter, Elaine Shaughnessy,Mark Stanley Price, Sue Wells

Chief Executive: John A Burton

WLT News production:Editor: Viv BurtonPrint: Kingfisher Press LtdDesign: www.wearedrab.net

WLT works with 27 Overseasproject partners:Argentina: Fundación PatagoniaNatural

Exec Director: José María MusmeciFundación Naturaleza para elFuturo (FuNaFu)

Exec Director: Luis CastelliFundación Biodiversidad,Argentina

President: Obdulio MenghiArmenia: Foundation for thePreservation of Wildlife & Cultural Assets

Director: Ruben KhachatryanBelize: Programme for Belize Exec Director: Edilberto RomeroBolivia: Armonia Exec Director: Bennett HennesseyBrazil: Fundação de Proteção àNatureza O Boticário

Exec Director: Maria de Lourdes NunesReserva Ecologica de Guapi Assu(REGUA)

Project Director: Nicholas LockeChile: Fundación Melimoyu President: Carlos Cuevas Cueto

Colombia: ProAves Exec Director: Alonso QuevedoEcuador: Fundación Jocotoco Exec Director: Rocío Merino UtrerasFundación Pro-Bosque

Exec Director: Eric von HorstmanFundación EcoMinga

Exec Director: Javier Robayo Nature and Culture International

Director (Ecuador): Renzo PaladinesGuatemala: Fundación para el Ecodesarrollo y la Conservación (FUNDAECO)

General Director: Marco CerezoHonduras: Ecological Association of

San Marcos Ocotepeque (AESMO) Exec Director: Víctor Saravia OIndia: Wildlife Trust of India Exec Director: Vivek MenonKenya: Nature Kenya Exec Director: Paul MatikuMalaysia: HUTAN Co-Directors: Isabelle Lackman & Marc AncrenazLEAP Spiral

Exec Director: Cynthia OngMexico: Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda Technical Officer: Roberto Pedraza Ruiz

Paraguay: Guyra Paraguay Exec Director: Alberto YanoskyPhilippines: Philippine Reef & Rainforest Conservation Foundation Project Director: Gerardo L LedesmaTanzania: Wildlife Conservation

Society of Tanzania Acting CEO: Paul NnyitiVenezuela: Asociación Civil Provita President: Franklin RojasZambia: Wildlife & Environmental

Conservation Society of Zambia Acting Director: Patrick Shawa

Institutional Partners:BirdLife InternationalIUCN National Committee of theNetherlands:WLT Contact: Marc HoogeslagAcciónatura Director: Francesc Giro

World Land Trust - US 25 Horner Street, Warrenton, VA 20186 USAEmail: [email protected]

Who’s Who at WLT

Why not choose a bettertime of year, ie notChristmas? Maybe in

October, so that it doesn'tclash with any othermajor events such asChildren In Need?

(Dominic Belfield, WLT supporter)

“ “

This is an excellent wayto contribute knowingthat one’s gift is doubledand then topped withGift Aid… Yes to havinganother ‘BG’ Event

next year.(John Smart, WLT supporter)

“ “

Last wordWLT News is printedon Carbon BalancedPaper, saving 267kg of carbon andpreserving 22 sqm ofcritically threatenedtropical forest.Carbon Balanced Paper is one of the mostsustainable forms of communication thatwill reduce your carbonfoot print and promote CSR.www.carbonbalancedpaper.com

Printed on Revive 50 Recycledpaper, available from HowardSmith Paper Group, RobertHorne Group & The PaperCo

CCAARRBBOONN BBAALLAANNCCEEDD PPAAPPEERR

CCAARRBBOONN BB

www.worldlandtrust.org

The winning image in BBCWildlife Wildlife magazine’s2012 Camera-trap Competition,sponsored by WLT and Páramo.

Overall & Category Winner(Animal Portraits) awardedthe £3,000 research grantwas this beautiful image ofChinese Leopard captured byZhou Zhefeng for a projectfunded by the ShanxiWocheng Institute of Ecologyand Environment.

Become a WLT Friend andpledge £5 or more each

month. Funds go to the WLTAction Fund for WLT’s mosturgent project needs.

2013 CompetitionThe deadline for entries to the 2013Camera-trap Competition is 31 July. Thewinners will be announced in theDecember issue of BBC Wildlifemagazine on sale on 20 November. Youcan enter online at:www.discoverwildlife.com

See the 2012 winners, runners-up andcommended images on theBBC Wildlife magazine website:

www.discoverwildlife.com/gallery/bbc-wildlife-camera-trap-photo-

year-2012-winners

Launched in 2010, the competition hasbeen raising awareness and funds forconservation by showcasing the mostexciting and revealing camera-trap imagescaptured by conservationists around theworld. Judges give particular weight to thecontribution that each image makes toscientific knowledge.

The prize money does not go to theindividual but direct to the conservationproject to help strengthen their resources.

Camera-traps have revolutionised theway that conservationists study animals inthe wild, gaining intimate knowledge oftheir behaviour and leading to someastonishing new discoveries. They arecontributing enormously to scientificknowledge, hopefully leading to improvedconservation of the species. We lookforward to seeing 2013 entries: we arenever disappointed.

New sponsor for2013BBC Wildlife andWLT are delighted towelcome WLT long-term corporatesupporters Enterprise Plants, as thesponsor of the 2013 competition. Theywill be donating the research grants forthe Animal Portraits, Animal Behaviour andNew Discoveries categories.

We thankPáramo forsponsoring theBBC Wildlife Camera-trap Competitionbetween 2010 and 2012. This year theyare donating the prize for the BritishWildlife category: a top of the rangePáramo Halcon jacket worth £310.

WLT teams up with BBC Wildlifemagazine and sponsors, EnterprisePlants and Páramo for this year’scamera-trap competition

Why I have becomea Friend “One of the main reasons I chose to joinWLT is because of Sir David Attenborough’sendorsement. I was also influenced by thepledge on the website stating that mymoney will not go on furry toys (up untilthat point I had been leaning toward otherorganisations where they give you such atoy). I also really look forward to readingthe WLT newsletter. I hope in a few monthsto be able to double or triple my donation(I appreciate £5 is not a lot and wish to domore, however at the moment it is what Ican commit to).”

Ben Hinchliffe (Robertsbridge)

We recently re-launched our WLTPartners donor category as Friends ofWorld Land Trust. This has been a greatsuccess and has seen numbers ofsupporters making monthly donationsby direct debit almost double.

If you aren’t already a Friend, pleaseconsider joining us. If you are, andwould like some Friends leaflets to giveto people you think would be interested,let us know.

You can complete a Direct Debit formonline:www.worldlandtrust.org/supporting/

friends.htm

Documents

Issue No 43 - Spring 2013