The inauguration of the new Ethiopian Sanctuary is just 24 hours away!  

The President confirmed his attendance at the unique event and accepted an Elsa bronze as a sign of the collaboration between Born Free and
Ethiopia. 

Find out more about Born Free Ethiopia here.

After three years of planning, we are almost ready! 

Blogging off 

Will

I waited at the end of the film, hoping that in the credits it would say something like “a proportion of the film’s (immense) profits will be directed towards the conservation and protection of natural ecosystems and to support native peoples”.  Nothing came up.  What a great shame, what a waste.  Maybe the film’s creator and director, James Cameron and the film’s distributor, 20th Century Fox, would still consider making such an important contribution.  Their film got me thinking for sure - but it is important to turn thoughts into action.

See http://www.bornfree.org.uk/get-involved/carbon-offsetting/

Having rescued almost 600 bears from tortuous lives as entertainment props, the team at Wildlife SOS can, at last, feel confident that the ambitious project they embarked upon seven years ago, is close to being fulfilled.

Some of those previously rescued bears are now living in their natural habitat enclosure at the Bannerghatta Bear Sanctuary, where, next door to our own sanctuary for rescued tigers, Born Free supporters have provided funds for the construction of Wildlife SOS’ vet clinic. I have seen, first-hand, the care with which they rescue and carefully rehabilitate beaten and broken bears back to some semblance of what nature intended and I am proud of what they have achieved, and delighted that we at Born Free have been able to make such a meaningful contribution.

The sobering issues that characterise the animal welfare and conservation sector rarely throw up wholly positive success stories. But when they do, we must embrace them as fully and gratefully as we can. I wholeheartedly congratulate not only the team at Wildlife SOS for their unwavering toil and dedication, but also the Indian government, for taking a bold, compassionate step in making bear dancing – and the use of certain wild animals in circuses – illegal in their country.

To those who continue to exploit wildlife, let this marvellous news send a clear signal that such abuse will not be tolerated. And, as the UK government continues to fail captive wild animals here, despite overwhelming public and political opposition, let India’s example be a signal to them that it is time to do the right thing, and ban the use of all wild animals in our own country in 2010.

Merry Christmas to you all.

Will

In Vietnam, also last week, two frozen tiger carcasses were found in a taxi. Whilst the discovery led to the arrest of four Vietnamese smugglers, the week’s tiger news highlights the seriousness of the threats faced by the species, and the lengths to which wildlife criminals will go to perpetuate illegal trade.

Perhaps most notably and worryingly, this news underlines the fragility of tiger populations. Even where there have been relative conservation successes - that must be lauded, learned from and replicated elsewhere - current tiger numbers are far from robust enough to withstand the many threats they continually face, or any relaxation in sustained conservation action. Globally, there may only be 3,000 wild tigers surviving in critically fragmented, vulnerable and increasingly unviable populations. When so few remain, the loss of every animal has a resonant, foreboding significance for the survival of the species.

That is why, as stated in the recent Press Release issued by the International Tiger Coalition of which Born Free is a constituent member, the call for concerted conservation strategy and immediate, committed action should be deafening. Next week, Born Free will be attending a meeting in Kathmandu, convened by the World Bank and involving delegations from 13 of the 14 tiger range states. Amidst the noise of political manoeuvring and diplomacy, Born Free, and our colleagues in the ITC, will be sure to make the voice of tiger conservation heard.

The Daily Telegraph reports that the Mwanza flat-headed rock agama (a beautiful and colorful species of lizard) looks set to become the latest victim in a long line of crazes for exotic pets, simply because its coloration resembles the costume of the superhero Spiderman.

If time has taught us anything it is that such fads for animals result in vast numbers of animals ill-suited to captivity being bred or caught from the wild, only to end up dying, suffering in poor conditions or being released into the wild to perish or to take up residence as an invasive species. One need only look at the problems with the huge numbers of red-eared terrapins in the pet trade, and the appalling conditions in which many are kept, resulting from the short-lived Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle craze some years ago.

Furthermore, many wild animals such as reptiles commonly carry disease organisms that can cause serious illness or death in humans.

Wild animals deserve appreciation in their own right and in their own environment, rather than to be caught and kept captive on the basis of an unfortunate resemblance to a fictional character. So, remember the superhero code: exotic pets – bad for them, bad for you, bad for the environment.

Blogging off

Will

PS Support some REAL superheroes. Some of the Born Free staff are doing a free fall parachute jump in aid of Born Free - Please sponsor them at www.justgiving.com/fallforbornfree

I have been on holiday with my mum many, many times (not really surprising!) but now it is your turn!

On 31st October, a small and exclusive group of adventurers will journey, with Virginia, to Kenya, where they will share a few days in the land of Born Free.

The stunning Elsa’s Kopje lodge (which I can honestly say is one of the most gorgeous places on the planet) will be your home for three nights and Virginia will be with you for two of them sharing her experiences and memories of Born Free days, the film and our work for wildlife since then.

I am not going and I am getting excited just thinking about it!

All the details are on our website at www.bornfree.org.uk/get-involved/holidays/.  After Virginia has left, the trip will continue to Amboseli, Tsavo and the coast - all jewels in their own right - and it will be an amazing adventure.  The trip has been organised (in close collaboration with Born Free) by our friends at Kuoni.  I know that there are a very small number of places still available on this exclusive safari (no more than 19 guests) so please contact Lisa Maskell on 01306 744703 or email lisa.maskell@Kuoni.co.uk if you would like to find out more.

Blogging off

Will

I listened to a programme on Radio 4 last night on the current state of elephant poaching and the ivory trade and I wanted to tell you about it.

Here is the link http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00lv6tq.

I’m afraid if you listen to the show it confirms Born Free’s predictions - things are bad! Although we were not one of the contributors to the actual programme, we fundamentally contribute to the work of just about everyone who appeared on it (Cynthia Moss, Soila Sayialel, Nora Njiraini, Ofir Drori, Sam Wasser, Danny Woodley, Patrick Omondi and more).

On the show you will hear Dr Sam Wasser of University of Washington, Seattle, estimate the number of elephants that are killed each year at a staggering 38,000. His estimation is based on data collected by Born Free which, tragically, we believe to accurately reflect what is really going on.

You will also hear that 12 tonnes has been recovered this year in major seizures up to June and I can report that at least a further 555kg has been intercepted since then. In fact, a Born Free team was at the KWS office the week of 27th July when a major seizure came in.

There are three important strategies necessary to bring the situation back under control:

1. We need to provide support to the men and women in the field and, in particular, to the 21 countries of the African Elephant Coalition who are strongly opposed to any further relaxations in ivory trade controls.
2. We need to lobby intensively to reverse the effect of the disastrous decisions made by the European Union, the British Government and the CITES Standing Committee which led to 108 tonnes of stockpiled ivory being sold to Japan and China at the end of 2008 and which, in our view, has significantly increased demand and the threat to wild elephants.
3. We need to mobilise the public again. In 1989 when the debate on the future of the ivory trade was the hottest conservation issue on the planet, I personally took 600,000 signatures to the CITES meeting in Lausanne which, I believe, contributed strongly to the resulting vote to ban the trade. Unlike elephant memories, human memories are short and the public either seems to have forgotten or now believes there is little or no trade in elephant ivory to worry about. I am writing to all the influential people I know to ask for their help and support in any way. But each and every one of us can do something to help prevent this situation getting even worse. Our combined networks are powerful. You must know people who know people who know people who make the decision – decisions on policy, decisions on media and information, decisions on financial support and more. YOU can use social networking to spread the word!

If you have half an hour to listen to this extremely well put together programme by Andrew Luck-Baker and if then you have another half an hour to take action, I can honestly ask no more.

Blogging off.

Will

Despite fervent hopes that elephants and ivory trade would not dominate CITES until at least 2017 (after decisions taken at the 2007 CITES meeting), we now know that the elephant debate could reach new heights in 2010. At least three new countries are slated to petition for more elephant trade – widening continental discord at a time when African unity is most needed. Here at the Standing Committee, the European Union, including the UK, have refused to take a stand against further elephant down-listing proposals. I fear that ivory trading interests will be encouraged by Europe’s conciliatory silence.

Tigers, on the other hand, fared better: China and others must answer for their ‘tiger farms’; the mighty World Bank has brought its weight to bear with a loud public pronouncement on the need to improve the security and long-term viability of wild tigers throughout their range and stop the potentially disastrous practice of breeding tigers for their parts.

The catastrophic state of rhino conservation was also highlighted. It seems likely that the levels of rhino poaching will be at their highest for 15 years and I believe this has been stimulated by previous and ill-advised CITES decisions permitting the re-opening of rhino trophy-hunting. The situation is especially bad in Zimbabwe and South Africa.

These and the challenges facing other species such as sturgeon, mahogany, crocodiles, numerous birds and reptiles will all be our priorities in the months ahead. The illegal trade in live wild great apes into and out of Egypt simply must be addressed and we hope that the words of the Egyptian Ambassador, who committed his country to stopping the trade, will be turned into practice.

Some people wonder if CITES is worth it. All the efforts, all the meetings all the talking, all the costs. My answer is simple. Perfection is the enemy of the good. What would the natural world look like without the Convention? I think things would be worse: unfettered ivory trade, massive deforestation and timber sales, unregulated commercialization of tiger bones and bear gallbladders and sea turtle shells, a live animal trade run amok.

That’s why I am committed to CITES, to making the Convention more effective, to helping countries use CITES to bring greater protection to species under threat. And this is especially true for developing countries that need assistance the most to properly protect their indigenous animals and plants.

Born Free has been part of CITES for two decades now – in our own right and as part of the Species Survival Network. I hope that readers will appreciate our efforts and will do what they can to support our continued involvement. We are the voice for the animals in a world increasingly dominated by human noise.

Blogging off,

Will

The good news: World Bank representatives in attendance declared on the Committee floor the Bank’s unequivocal opposition to tiger farming. A handful of Chinese businessmen, prospecting on a return of international trade in tiger bones and other body parts, have put significant pressure on the Chinese government to overturn its long ban on tiger trade.

The World Bank’s Keshav Varma, with whom we’ve been working as part of the Global Tiger Initiative, made a strong statement today: “Extinction is irreversible, so prudence and precaution suggest that the risks of legalized farming of tigers for their parts and derivatives are too great a gamble for the world to take.  We cannot know for sure if tiger farming will work.  And if it does not work the downside risks are just too high — irreversible harm.  Having carefully weighed the economic arguments we urge the CITES community to uphold the ban on wild tiger products and for all countries to continue to ban the domestic trade of wild tigers or any commercial exploitation. This is the only safe way to ensure that wild tigers may have a future tomorrow.”

Bravo!

CITES Parties that breed tigers in intensive operations have another 90 days to report back on their activities – including, importantly, their efforts to stop such dangerous operations – unless those operations are “supportive only to conserving wild tigers”. No tigers should be bred in captivity just to trade in their parts!

The Bad News: Zambia confirmed what we have long feared – that three African elephant range States are prepared to petition the 175 Parties to CITES to downlist their elephant populations from Appendix I (highest protection from trade) to Appendix II (commercial trade allowed) next year in Doha, Qatar. Such a move (by Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique most likely) could allow some quantity of ivory to leave those countries legally, putting every African elephant across the continent at risk. Poachers and ivory profiteers would see a bigger market in bloody ivory and try to capitalize on this expanded global market.

There are serious questions about wildlife law enforcement capabilities in these CITES Parties as well as illegal ivory currently leaving their borders. More ivory trade = more dead elephants. We remain convinced that the majority of African elephant range States will be opposed to this move – and hope that their view will prevail.

Tomorrow is the final day of Standing Committee deliberations. I hope the only news to report then is GOOD.

Blogging off,

Will

Primates

Yesterday I mentioned the illegal primate trade and the transit routes through Egypt to the Middle East. Since then, noted but controversial filmmaker and conservationist Karl Amman has been thrown out of the meeting while trying to interview the Chinese delegation and CITES Secretary-General on film.

The issue of Egypt’s lack of law enforcement with respect to primates is deeply worrying. I remain unconvinced that Egypt has taken the necessary and urgent steps to stop the illegal primate trade. As a result, an illegal trade in highly endangered and increasingly vulnerable animals that has been known to be going on for many years continues. This trade has a negative impact on species and individuals, but also threatens to reflect unfavourably on the reputation of CITES, its credibility and its willingness to take effective and resolute action in the face of compelling evidence of illegal trade and lack of compliance.

The Species Survival Network believes that a number of actions must be taken as a matter of urgency. Among them:

• Instructing the Secretariat to request that CITES Parties not allow trade with Egypt;
• Testing all primates held in captivity to ascertain their true country of origin;
• Microchipping all captive great apes to enhance trade controls;
• Opening all facilities holding great apes to government inspection.

Such measures are long overdue and must be carried out urgently to prevent more suffering, more depletion of wild great ape numbers, and more illicit trade.

Elephants

The great ivory debate is seemingly endless and tensions run high on all sides.

Today, a number of key documents were discussed including the review of the status of elephants, trade in their parts, and the impact of illegal activity. The Standing Committee importantly rejected the Secretariat’s claim that there is sufficient current information on management of and trade in elephants. Born Free’s position that there must be a substantive and complete review of elephant conservation and ivory trade was upheld by the Committee.

And what about the control of trade in elephant ivory on the ground, in domestic markets? Delegates expressed concern about increases in ivory trade in Ethiopia and elsewhere, but the elephant’s champion – Kenya – offered to assist Ethiopia and other African elephant range States provide evidence of actions they are taking to address any remaining internal control problems.

CITES has previously approved limited sales of stockpiled elephant ivory, provided that one of the conditions of such sale be the investment of profits from the sale into community development and wildlife conservation. I keep asking, where’s the proof? Where’s the money? Millions have gone into the national coffers of Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, but there has not yet been a full evaluation of the impact of the sales! But impact is not just about following the cash. It’s also about African elephant range states seeing an increase in elephant poaching since sales went forward. ‘Vigilance’ must be the word of the day.

But the news is never all grim. Delegates warmly embraced Kenya’s presentation on the extensive work undertaken to develop the African Elephant Action Plan and the African Elephant Fund – efforts involving all 37 African countries with wild elephant populations. Of course now there is a need for the draft plan to be signed off and for donors to come forward to support all the important projects and initiatives it contains with serious funding. Overall, this last document represents a serious and positive breakthrough in terms of collaboration between elephant range states on a subject that has been fraught with controversy for ages.

As you can probably tell, it was an exhausting and tense day. And we’re only half-way through the meeting….

Blogging off,

Will