COVID-19 LOCKDOWN: A TIME TO REFLECT ON OUR IMPACT ON BIODIVERSITY
Annie DuPre-Reynolds, Manager, EWT Wildlife in Trade Programme
AnnieD@ewt.org.za
The novel coronavirus, COVID-19, has brought to the forefront new challenges and, therefore, opportunities in our lifetime. While we often feel invincible with our advanced technology, it is times like these that remind us we are powerless against nature. Millions of people around the world, working from home and watching the news, are stuck inside and feel disconnected from their environment. But the reality is the opposite – our impact on this planet over the past generations has a direct connection to the spread of this disease.
Deforestation and habitat reduction have driven wild animals out of their natural homes and into areas of human habitation. Continued demand for wildlife products means people encroach further into protected areas to extract wildlife and natural resources. The illegal wildlife trade, which is driven by human consumption, sees people (especially the poor and vulnerable at the lowest level of this supply chain) risking their health and safety to make a living.
As we expose ourselves to animals and plants in the wild and bring wildlife into urban areas as part of the wildlife trade, we increase the ways zoonotic diseases can hop from animals to humans. In our crowded world, viruses with high mutation rates can (relatively) quickly switch hosts in new ecosystems. In particular, the unregulated nature of illegal wildlife trade provides easy opportunities for pathogens to spread.
In 2012, journalist Jim Robbins wrote a prophetic piece in the New York Times. Disease, he observed, “is largely an environmental issue. Sixty percent of emerging infectious diseases that affect humans are zoonotic – they originate in animals. And more than two-thirds of those originate in wildlife.”
Was the decision by the United Nations to call 2020 a “super year for nature and biodiversity” also prophetic? Perhaps amongst the devastation caused by COVID-19, we will find the time and energy to consider our impact on this planet and its biodiversity. While the pandemic has delayed important international meetings on the environment and biodiversity, an increased focus on public-awareness and campaigning could bring positive impacts overall.
In February, COVID-19 drove the Chinese government to take drastic measures to stem illegal markets and ban wildlife consumption. Yes, there are loopholes that will continue to negatively impact wildlife. No, this was not a simple solution to the problems posed by illegal and unregulated wildlife trade. What remains to be seen is if consumer behaviour will change as a result of these regulations, and if pressure will reduce on some of the world’s most threatened and protected species.
Beyond the many lessons we will learn about public health and safety, we must keep in mind the impact we have on our environment. This too shall pass – and one day soon we will look back on COVID-19 as part of history. Will our attitude towards wildlife have changed? Will we have learned our lesson, and slowed exploitation of our planet’s biodiversity? Let us not take this lesson for granted and use this time to re-evaluate our actions on this planet and make sustainable choices now.
RESPONSE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC
The Endangered Wildlife Trust fully supports the efforts of our government to stem the rate of transmission of the COVID-19 virus and is committed to playing our part in being a responsible global citizen.
As a result, the EWT head office will remain closed from Wednesday, 18 March, and we will not be engaging in any public events, meetings or gatherings. The EWT will, however, continue to operate at full steam, albeit from different locations.
Our staff are available on email and cell phone, and will hold meetings via various platforms such as Skype and Zoom. Our field staff remain committed to providing mission critical field services and support to our partners as required.
We wish all affected people a speedy recovery over this time, and we remain committed to seeing our beautiful country prosper once this difficult time has passed.
For more information please contact ewt@ewt.org.za
FINDING GOLD IN THE DUNES
JP Le Roux, Field Officer, EWT Drylands Conservation Programme
jeanpierrel@ewt.org.za
The Drylands Conservation Programme, with the help of Samantha Mynhardt from the University of Pretoria, will be taking on the exciting task of trying to find one of the most elusive animals in South Africa! The Van Zyl’s Golden Mole is known from only two locations, with the last found in 2003. More than 17 years later, we are on a quest to find them again.
We will be focusing on the Lambert’s Bay area, as this is where the species was last found. The habitat consists of mostly Succulent Karoo strand veld with low elevation, which is perfect for golden moles. On the first trip to do a reconnaissance of the area, we were amazed by the amount of activity, especially from a variety of moles. With the amazement came the realisation of the challenge we are undertaking. Finding Van Zyl’s Golden Mole in a minefield of mole activity is going to be difficult! We visited various farms around the Lambert’s Bay area, going from farm to farm trying to find specific activity associated with golden moles. Most of the mole activity in the area is linked to the Common Mole-rat, which excavates big mounds of soil along its main burrow. Because they live in colonies of up to 14 individuals, their activity can be quite extensive. The Mole-rat activity differs greatly from that left behind by the much smaller golden moles. Golden moles are solitary animals and usually dig their tunnels just below the soil surface (5-10cm deep). The activity mostly consists of a foraging trail extending out from a central point around vegetation. Some areas indicated much more activity, where it was possible to identify specific behaviour along foraging trails such as head dipping. Along with the physical signs indicating that there are golden moles in the area, other promising signs such as the presence of prey items were also found. All these findings show that there are definitely golden moles in the area, but the question still remains whether they are Van Zyl’s or one of the other mole species.
The activities of different golden mole species are relatively similar, which highlights the need for creative ideas to determine the presence of this specific species. Techniques such as scent detection, thermal imaging, and testing the soil for environmental DNA (DNA that is collected from environmental samples, such as soil, rather than from an individual organism) will be some of our methods to attempt to determine the presence of Van Zyl’s Golden Moles. If these techniques prove to be successful, it will be seen as a rediscovery of the species and will greatly benefit the conservation of the species. Golden moles face many challenges, with the main threats to the species linked to habitat loss from activities such as poor farm / land management and mining.The team’s first survey will take place in the next few months, and the progress of the project will be presented in follow up articles in Conservation Matters. So, watch this space!
Thanks to Global Wildlife Conservation, for making this project possible through their Lost Species Initiative.
JIMMY MUHEEBWA SCOOPS A SPECIES RECOVERY AWARD
Earnest Muheebwa Kwesiga and Arnold Muheebwa Nakunda (18 and 17 years old) On 3 March 2020, Uganda joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Wildlife Day. As part of the activities to commemorate World Wildlife Day 2020, the government of Uganda, through the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, recognised people and institutions that have made unique and significant contributions to the sustainable conservation and development of wildlife resources in Uganda. This was through the National Conservation Awards Scheme set up in the ministry. Seven individuals and institutions were recognised during the event. Jimmy Muheebwa scooped the award for his outstanding efforts to save the Grey Crowned Crane – the National Bird of Uganda, and an Endangered species. A beaming Jimmy attributed this award to his 20 years of dedicated work on securing the future of Grey Crowned Cranes, and also to the support he has received from donors, fellow conservationists, and his family, who endure long absences from home as he manages the conservation project. He further contends that there is a need for Ugandans to practice sustainable relationships with Mother Nature, saying “Nature sustains our lives; we too, should sustain it.This is the second accolade Jimmy has won thanks to his amazing passion for conserving Grey Crowned Cranes, with the first being a prestigious Whitley Award in 2010. Jimmy is currently the Uganda Projects Coordinator for the African Crane Conservation Programme, being implemented under the International Crane Foundation/Endangered Wildlife Trust/NatureUganda Partnership, and has been involved in crane conservation in Uganda for the last 20 years.
It all began in 1998, when Jimmy enrolled for his MSc course at Makerere University in Uganda and his research topic was “Assessing the biology of the Grey Crowned Crane in Uganda,” which brought him to the International Crane Foundation in the USA. Jimmy traversed the whole country in 2000, looking for crane sites, crane nests and crane roost sites. By then the bird was listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, and he wanted to make a difference in its life. The Grey Crowned Crane population estimate, which by his research stood at 10,000 birds, had declined from over 100,000 in the 1970s – an indication of a 40% decline in about 30 years, which was proof that the cranes were at risk of extinction if no conservation measures were taken, and sooner rather than later. According to his findings, the breeding success for the cranes then stood at 0.8. Breeding or fledging success is a comparison or ratio of number of chicks to the breeding pairs. Therefore 0.8 would mean that on average each breeding pair (with one nest) had less than one chick. For example, if you were monitoring 100 breeding pairs and they have 80 chicks in total, the ratio of chicks to the breeding pairs is 80:100 = 0.8. The causes of the low ratio could be breeding failure, egg collection, chick death or removal, among others.
Key wetlands for crane breeding and survival of other forms of biodiversity had suffered extensive degradation and affected not only the cranes, but also the humans and other biodiversity. Jimmy then embarked on an awareness programme in the communities, to facilitate the development of respect for cranes and their breeding habitats – the wetlands. The Nyamuriro Wetland Management Plan, that should have guided the sustainable use of the wetland, had been abandoned by the policy implementers for fear of direct confrontation with the communities who were using the wetlands for crop production. Jimmy had to take the bull by the horns. Through sensitisation meetings, he was able to draw the attention of the local communities and their local leadership towards crane tolerance on farmlands and more importantly to accept conducting wetland restoration demonstrations in the degraded sections of the wetland. The success stories at Nyamuriro wetland set a positive precedent and were replicated at Mugandu in Rubaya subcounty and at Kaku/ Kiyanja wetland in Lwengo district. Cranes took advantage of the restoring habitats to breed and feed there.
In 2010, Jimmy was honoured with a Whitley Award, in the UK, for his outstanding work on engaging communities to conserve cranes and wetlands. The award, which came with GBP 30,000, was a turning point for Jimmy, as he re-invested the funds into conservation activities to brighten the plight of the cranes. In 2013, the IUCN acted on concerns raised by Jimmy, and other conservationists, based on monitoring data and reviewed the status of Grey Crowned Cranes, uplisting them from Vulnerable to Endangered on the global Red List. Not short of innovations, along the way, Jimmy introduced the crane custodianship initiative where community members volunteer to enhance the breeding success by securing the breeding sites. To-date, there are over 50 volunteer custodians spread across the range districts of Masaka, Bushenyi and Kabale greater. They monitor cranes and submit monthly reports on a regular basis. They also conduct awareness campaigns in the communities on the importance of cranes. On several occasions, the custodians have intercepted crane captors and saved crane chicks that would have ended in sale or domestication.
In 2016, the National Species Action Plan for the Grey Crowned Crane, that Jimmy had been leading on, was approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities. It is now a working document that guides the conservation activities of the Grey Crowned Cranes in Uganda. Quite often, Jimmy has organised successful festivals to celebrate the cranes, the most recent being one that preceded World Wildlife Day 2020. At the same function, the National Species Action Plan was launched by the Hon Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities.
The breeding success, consequently, has steadily improved over the years from 0.8 in the early 2000s to 1.56 in the 2019 breeding season. Similarly, cranes nesting in the restored areas have increased in numbers and so do those on public land. By February this year, eight breeding pairs have been recorded at restored Nyamuriro wetland, nine at the restored Mugandu, and five at Kiyanja
A WORD FROM THE CEO
Yolan Friedmann, EWT CEO
yolanf@ewt.org.za If there is one thing that 2020 has taught us so far, it is that life can change, rapidly, and dramatically. Just when we think that we are in control of our lives and the world in which we conduct them, everything we know changes and suddenly we are forced to stay at home, refrain from touching people, change our consumer and socialising patterns and pay attention to our health as well as that of the people around us. But out of every crisis arises an opportunity and much has already been said about the impact of COVID-19 presenting an opportunity for the planet to ‘reset itself’ or for Mother Nature to ‘recover’. Regardless of whether or not you support these statements, the virus and its rapid global spread and dramatic impact on lives across the globe has certainly taught us a few things.
Number one: we are all connected, and we are all the same. Nothing drives home the point of human fallibility and commonality, regardless of race, age, gender or wealth status like a virus that attacks the lung tissue of the species known only as Homo sapiens. We are ALL susceptible and we are ALL potential carriers. The most vulnerable may suffer the most impact but the human species is the target of this virus, regardless of demographics.
Secondly, we can change. We are all capable of instant, dramatic changes to our lives, when we are forced to change. Yes, with consequences and with impacts that can devastate lives and countries. But change IS possible. So, imagine if we all worked together to effect positive, harmonious change that could in fact improve lives, make our economies more robust and sustainable and lead to equitable and just societies in which we all prosper? Don’t ever forget, we CAN change so imagine if we did this voluntarily and for the benefit of society instead only out of fear and desperation.
Third, we are a global village and what we do on one side of the world has the potential to change everything, for everyone. If climate change has not taught us this, then COVID-19 should. As much as nations base their responses to developing their trade, developmental and economic agendas on sovereignty, as well as their social-political and cultural ideologies, the consequences of these decisions can be global and far-reaching and can potentially traverse generations.
Fourth, we are resourceful beyond measure and the solutions lie within all of us. Scientists in laboratories may develop vaccines and cures, but the solutions to preventing this, and numerous other catastrophes arising out of humanity’s destruction of the earth, lie within the simple things that all people can do: Treat nature with respect, reduce our carbon emissions, ensure equitable access to resources for all, sustain functioning ecosystems, use natural resources sustainably and with future generation’s rights to them in mind; refrain from participating in the illicit, inhumane and unstainable illegal trade in wildlife; and above all, remember how little we actually all need from this earth in order to have the things that really matter.
During this time of uncertainty and risk, the EWT wishes all our followers well. We remain open for business although we are all working remotely. The EWT remains committed to working for a healthy planet that can sustain us all.
Yolan Friedmann
RISK, REPUTATION AND REPORTING: DOES BUSINESS HAVE A BIODIVERSITY BLIND SPOT?
Megan Murison, Programme Officer, EWT National Biodiversity and Business Network
MeganM@ewt.org.za
Often the link between biodiversity and business can be difficult to identify. On 18 February 2020, the EWT’s National Biodiversity and Business Network (NBBN) hosted their annual Indaba under the theme of risk and reputation. The biodiversity economy of South Africa encompasses business and economic activities that either directly depend on biodiversity for their core business or that contribute to the conservation of biodiversity through their activities. Therefore, the aim of the Indaba was to provide a knowledge sharing platform to explore biodiversity relating to:
- risk management and oversight
- reputation management
- increasing stakeholder activism
- sustainable financing disclosure and reporting
The keynote speaker was Chief Directorate: Biodiversity Specialist Monitoring and Services, Wadzi Mandivenyi, who highlighted the desperate need for business to become aware of the risks as well as the benefits of biodiversity to their activities. Notable presentations included those by the JSE Limited’s Shameela Soobramoney, Reputation Matter’s Regine le Roux, and Tracey Davies of Just Share. The Indaba was well attended, with over 60 participants representing a wide variety of business sectors. The NBBN, as well as its partners, recognise the importance of biodiversity to business and aims to build the capacity of business to act as a positive force for the conservation of biodiversity in South Africa.
POWERING PARTNERSHIPS IN AFRICA
Lourens Leeuwner, Manager, EWT Wildlife and Energy Programme
LourensL@ewt.org.za
The EWT’s Wildlife and Energy Programme (WEP) was recently contracted by Power Africa, a USAID-funded development programme, to set up utility and NGO partnerships in Africa. The focus of this project is to optimise electricity supply through reduced wildlife interactions and is modelled on the long-standing partnership between the EWT and Eskom.
Lourens Leeuwner, WEP Manager, and Constant Hoogstad, Senior Manager: Industry Partnerships, travelled to Kenya in February to meet with Kenya Generation (Kengen), Kenya transmission company (Ketraco), the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) as well as Kenya Power and Lighting Corporation (KPLC). Unlike South Africa, where all aspects of electricity generation, transmission and distribution are controlled by Eskom, the responsibility lies with a number of different entities in Kenya. This makes it quite challenging to drive change within the respective organisations.
In order to address the numerous topics surrounding wildlife and electricity infrastructure interactions, the EWT co-hosted a conference, Designing Linear Infrastructure for Sustainable Outcomes in conjunction with Ewaso Lions, the Grevy’s Zebra Trust, Africa Conservation Centre, Centre for Large Landscape Conservation and the Development Corridor Partnership. The three-day workshop, hosted in Nairobi, exposed delegates to the benefits of utilities and NGOs partnering together to work towards a common goal. This could not have come at a better time as Kenya is in the midst of a massive linear infrastructure development drive. The scale of development is almost overwhelming, and concerns have been raised around power line routing and structure design. During the energy sector breakaway session, we had the opportunity to engage at length with representatives from various entities, including consultants, utilities and other wildlife NGOs. The message was clear: designing infrastructure in a wildlife friendly manner right at the beginning of a project will optimise the quality of supply to utilities while ensuring minimal impact on wildlife. After two days in the boardroom, delegates had the opportunity to get out into the field, and a number of electrical structures were inspected and discussed.
This inaugural engagement in Kenya is the start of a much bigger mission by the WEP team. We are planning to set up numerous engagements across Africa and guide utilities towards best practice. By setting up partnerships between local NGOs and utilities, we hope to promote sustainable development practices in Africa, with the ultimate goal of having wildlife friendly electricity networks across Africa.
LEAVING A LEGACY
The EWT relies on bequests both large and small to ensure that we continue fulfilling our vision of a healthy planet and an equitable world that values and sustains the diversity of all life. None of us can avoid the need to have an up-to-date will, ensuring that our last wishes are carried out and our legacy is continued in the way that we would choose. Including a bequest to an organisation like the EWT that you have supported in your lifetime, or that you would have liked to support, is a way to bring meaning and purpose to a life well-lived, and know that you have left the legacy of a better planet for future generations. We assure you that your legacy will make a lasting impact to the benefit of all who inhabit our beautiful country.
Your bequest will help us to…
- Empower communities to live and work in harmony with nature
- Increase safe space for Cheetahs and Wild Dogs in South Africa and beyond
- Conserve grasslands and wetlands to secure our critical water sources
- Ensure our iconic raptors remain in the skies
- Raise awareness and create connections between young people and their natural environment through our schools programmes, developing the guardians of the future
… and so much more!
Should you choose to remember the EWT in your will, you are not only helping the EWT to secure the futures of dozens of Endangered species for years to come, but you could also be providing tax benefits to your loved ones. Section 4(h) of the Estate Duty Act determines that bequests made to public benefit organisations such as the EWT should first be deducted from the nett value of your estate before estate duty is determined. This means that remembering the EWT in your will could exempt your estate from estate duty.
We are proud to be working with Capital Legacy to make leaving a legacy even easier. With a wealth of knowledge and expertise, Capital Legacy provides you with client-centric and excellence-driven service when it comes to drafting your Will, taking care of the administration of Trusts and administering your Estate in the event of your death. Capital Legacy are also the innovators of the Legacy Protection Plan™, an insurance product that completely protects your beneficiaries from the legal fees and expenses that arise when you pass away. Capital Legacy is also committed to protecting forever, together, and for every Legacy Protection Plan™ referral they receive from the EWT, they’ll be making a donation to the organisation. Find out more at https://ewt.org/get-involved/get-involved-leave-a-legacy/ or contact TammyB@ewt.org.za
TRAINING TACKLES WILDLIFE POISONING
André Botha, Manager, EWT Vultures for Africa Programme
AndreB@ewt.org.za The EWT’s Vultures for Africa Programme (VFA) has been involved in a number of Wildlife Poisoning Response Workshops at various locations in southern and east Africa during the period December 2019-February 2020. More than 100 trainees from a range of conservation organisations in Botswana, Zambia, Uganda and Tanzania participated in five workshops lead by the VFA Programme Manager André Botha. During this training, learners are provided with a comprehensive background on the drivers, motives and methods people use to poison wildlife, then we focus on enabling them to confidently assess situations on the ground to positively determine whether a poisoning incident is taking place, how to appropriately and rapidly respond to it by means of effective scene management, investigation and decontamination. We lastly work with them to draft Wildlife Poisoning Response Plans for the areas that they operate in and provide support in terms of sourcing equipment to safely conduct the management and investigation of scenes. Feedback from training recipients was very positive and we have received invitations to return for further training in Uganda and Tanzania later in the year. Another exciting development for the programme is an invitation from Cambodia to conduct similar training during two workshops in that country during March 2020. Further training interventions are also planned for the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area, supported by the British government’s Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, and the Khutse Game Reserve in Botswana, in March and April respectively. The EWT has also received a firm commitment from the Junta Andalusia in Spain to assist with the development of training capacity to train poison detection dogs at various sites in Africa in the coming months. There currently are no such dogs deployed anywhere in Africa, and this ability will significantly strengthen the preventative and responsive ability of conservationists on the ground to reduce the prevalence and impact of wildlife poisoning on vultures and other species.
The work of VFA is supported by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
SAVING CRANES TO SAVE WETLANDS
Jimmy Muheebwa, Uganda Project Coordinator, and Janine Rennie, Southern Drakensberg Field Officer, EWT/ICF African Crane Conservation Programme
JimmyM@ewt.org.za and JanineR@ewt.org.za
Celebrated annually on 2 February, World Wetlands Day aims to raise global awareness about the vital role of wetlands for people and the planet. Wetlands are declining three times faster than forests the world over, so there is a need to sound the drums of warning against their unsustainable abuse.
The global theme for World Wetlands Day 2020 was Wetlands and Biodiversity, while in Uganda, a national theme of Life thrives in wetlands; protect them was selected, offering an opportunity to highlight both the unique biodiversity found in these ecosystems, and the need to reduce human dependence on wetland-based resources which could negatively impact this biodiversity. In Uganda, the African Crane Conservation Programme (ACCP) is using the Grey Crowned Crane as a flagship species to raise awareness for wetlands. The team was thrilled to participate in a World Wetlands Day event in Bushenyi on 7 February 2020, highlighting the crane and wetlands conservation work being implemented by the Endangered Wildlife Trust/International Crane Foundation/Nature Uganda partnership. Members of the community were also present to showcase how they conserve wetlands and the biodiversity found in these habitats, and to learn from their counterparts involved in similar work elsewhere in the country.
The team braved the hot sun, displaying their messages of enhancing the protection of the Grey Crowned Crane on a 1.5 km march from Nyaruzinga wetland to the exhibition grounds, where they then set up an exhibit showcasing the economic value of wetlands. The role of Conservation Agreements in ensuring community buy-in for this work was also highlighted. Of course, Uganda was not the only place the ACCP celebrated World Wetlands Day. The ACCP across Africa celebrated by participating in indabas, presentations, radio talk shows, clean up campaigns, restoration work, crane monitoring, community outreach and education and sharing the crane message. Activities included:
South Africa
- Participated in the Edendale Mall Mini Wetland Indaba held in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), a busy mall situated adjacent to a wetland, which is set in an urban area with high density of people adjacent. This indaba focused on learning from one another, sharing successes and failures and networking.
- Hosted a stand at the 6th Provincial World Wetland Day in Matatiele, Eastern Cape. This event had over 500 participants from local schools, community members, municipality through to government officials and the MEC.
- Launched a community giving back campaign in the Mqatsheni area in Underberg, KZN. The aim of the campaign is for local community members to assist the local high school in any way they possibly can either through extra lessons, training, support, or being a mentor.
- Started an Eco Brick project in the Mqatsheni area to showcase the various uses of the bricks, with the aim of building a house in the area and showing what residents can do with their waste instead of just dumping it into the streams and wetlands.
- Gave a talk at Kwachibikhulu Primary School, which included a wetland clean up in Chrisiesmeer Protected Environment.
Senegal
- Celebrated World Wetlands Day in Koussabel with 20 primary school teachers, showing them around the project area, the resident cranes, and highlighting the importance of the ACCP project in the area.
- Conducted Black Crowned Crane nest surveys in Koussabel islands and Baila river and wetlands with the ACCP trained Eco Rangers to record all the nest sites in the area.
Zambia
- Officially launched the 2018 Kafue Flats Aerial Survey Report which draws attention to the Kafue Flats Restoration Programme in Zambia.
- Acted as part of the organising committee for the World Wetlands Day celebration festival, which was held in the Lochinvar National Park in Zambia. Our team hosted the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Jean Kapata MP, who officiated at the official celebration with the team moderating the discussions and highlighted the Kafue Flats Restoration Programme as contributing to the Wetlands Policy.
Kenya
- Took part in interviews on a local Kenyan radio station, speaking about the importance of wetlands, why we need to celebrate them, and the work that the ACCP is doing in Kenya to protect our wetlands and the birds who are dependent on them.
