AT LEAST 28 EXTINCTIONS HAVE BEEN PREVENTED BY CONSERVATION ACTION IN RECENT DECADES
Lizanne Roxburgh, Senior Scientist, EWT Conservation Science Unit, lizanner@ewt.org.za
Reference: Bolam, F.C, Mair, L., Angelico, M., Brooks, T.M, Burgman, M., McGowan, P. J. K & Hermes, C. et al. 2020. How many bird and mammal extinctions has recent conservation action prevented? Conservation Letters, e12762. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/conl.12762
A study led by Newcastle University, UK and BirdLife International has found that conservation action has prevented the global extinction of at least 28 bird and mammal species since 1993. The species include Puerto Rican Amazon (Amazona vittate), Przewalski’s Horse (Equus ferus), Alagoas Antwren (Myrmotherula snowi), Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) and Black Stilt (Himantopus novaezelandiae), among others.
The international team of scientists, including the EWT and other co-authors from South Africa, has estimated the number of bird and mammal species that would have disappeared forever without the efforts of conservationists in recent decades. The researchers found that 21–32 bird and 7-16 mammal species extinctions have been prevented since 1993, with the ranges reflecting the uncertainty inherent in estimating what might have happened under hypothetical circumstances.
The research team compiled information from 137 experts on the population sizes, trends, threats, and actions implemented for the most threatened birds and mammals, to estimate the likelihood that each species would have gone extinct without action. Their findings show that without conservation actions, extinction rates would have been around 3–4 times greater. Sadly, within the same period, 15 bird and mammal species went extinct (or are strongly suspected to have gone extinct).
The study has highlighted the most frequent actions taken to prevent extinctions in these bird and mammal species. Twenty-one bird species benefited from invasive species control, 20 from conservation in zoos and collections, and 19 from site protection. Fourteen mammal species benefited from legislation changes and nine from species reintroductions and conservation in zoos and collections. 
The findings are highly relevant to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), which came into force in 1993. Over its lifetime, at least 28–48 bird and mammal species extinctions have been prevented. Through the Convention, governments adopted the ‘Aichi Biodiversity Targets’ in 2010, which committed countries to tackle the loss of nature. It is widely expected that the CBD’s next official report will show that most targets have not been met.
However, the results of our study show that despite the overall failure to meet the targets for conserving nature set through the UN a decade ago, we have achieved significant success in preventing extinctions. This success should encourage governments to reaffirm their commitment to stop extinctions and recover populations of threatened species in the coming decade. Such a commitment is both achievable and essential to sustain a healthy planet. In many ways, this is a call to action: it shows what we can achieve if we act now to support conservation and prevent extinction.
MYSCHOOL CARD BENEFICIARY
Thank you to the team at MySchoolMyVillageMyPlanet and to Woolworths, Engen, Bidvest Waltons, Flight Centre, Loot.co.za, and newest partner store Builders Warehouse for their ongoing support. By adding the Endangered Wildlife Trust as a beneficiary on your MySchool card, you are raising much-needed conservation funds every time you swipe.
TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE
The EWT’s 2021 wildlife wall calendar, Walk on the Wild Side, once again showcases Richard du Toit’s stunning photography. Richard, an internationally acclaimed photographer, never fails to capture a stunning image. The calendar is in portrait and comes individually boxed ready for distribution. Proceeds from the sale of the calendars are donated to the EWT.
Cost R400
To purchase this beautiful calendar, please go to our online shop or email Tammy Baker on tammyb@ewt.org.za
COMING UP IN OCTOBER – NATIONAL TRANSPORT MONTH
Millions of animals are killed on the roads every year, and these incidents often cause injury or death to humans, as well as significant and costly damage to vehicles. By collecting information, we are better able to identify hot-spots, common species involved, and other variables that may come into play, such as weather and time of day. This information better equips us to develop strategies to mitigate the threats that transport infrastructure and vehicles pose to wildlife and humans. One of the ways of counting the number of animals killed on the road is through training route patrol staff to collect the data while on patrol, but we can all do more. October is National Transport Month, and we would like to encourage everyone to get involved by collecting animal road mortality data from all over South Africa. It is super easy!
You can submit your data can be submitted via email: roads@ewt.org.za
OR you can download the smartphone app (EWT Road Watch) and start reporting
• Go to Google Play on your smartphone https://play.google.com/store
• Type in ‘EWT Road Watch’
• Click on ‘INSTALL’, and it will download to your phone
• Once installed, you will need to enter your user details, either your email address or phone number. You will only need to do this once, and we will never share your information
• You can then begin reporting roadkill sightings
• It doesn’t matter if your phone does not have signal, the app will log your location and submit records once you are back in network range.
rated annually on 10 August!
Your support will no doubt help us to protect our wildlife, but please don’t put your own life at risk to collect information. Always consider your safety, and please do not use your phone while driving. When reporting roadkill, please provide the following information:
• Location of roadkill (GPS coordinates)
• Identification of species (as best as possible)
• Date and time seen
• Notes on the local habitat type (e.g. riverine, grassland, rocky, wetland, etc.) are also be useful.
Good identification photos (particularly if the carcass is very squashed) are very helpful BUT only stop and take a photo if it is safe to do so, then try and record the following:
• BIRDS: Tail and wing feathers/beak and feet (if the whole bird is no longer there) and eye
• REPTILES: Scales/head shape/foot shape (if applicable)
• AMPHIBIANS: Foot shape (webbed)/presence of warts/colouration around head and eye
• MAMMALS: Fur/hair colour/body size/teeth type (carnivore or herbivore)
A WORD FROM THE CEO: AN INTERVIEW WITH OUR LEADING LADY, YOLAN FRIEDMANN
Yolan Friedmann, EWT CEO
yolanf@ewt.org.za
With all the challenges facing our country, and our environment, which ones keep you awake at night and why?
South Africa is faced with massive challenges generally and despite some of those not emanating from the environmental sector, they do spill over. So the issue of corruption means that there is less money to be spent on environmental issues and so our planet suffers; with escalating crime, our staff and colleagues are exposed to risk whilst they do their work in remote areas, or the travel, or even in their personal lives. I have seen first-hand the stress that this puts them under and the costs associated with paying for increased safety and protection. The loss of critical skills with young people emigrating also effects our sector severely and we have lost too many talented people to other countries as a result of crime in South Africa. Our future as a stable, thriving society and economy keeps me awake at night.
What unique strengths and characteristics do you believe women have, that add value to being a person of influence in the environmental sector?
By nature, women tend to be more consultative and like to work in teams. We can lead, and we can also follow, and we generally know when to do either or both. We are able and willing to ask for help and to admit when we don’t know the answers, and to show strength and leadership in finding them, together. I think that this creates a more dialogue-based approach to finding solutions, which is vital in the highly complex world of conservation. Nothing in the conservation sector can be solved with linear thinking, and one must integrate social, economic, environmental, political, cultural and ecological imperatives with science and compassion and sensitivity, and this requires continual juggling and consultation. Women tend to be better jugglers, in my opinion, and understand the need to balance shifting priorities – we tend to be able to lead from the front as well as the back. Our sector has also required massive skills and capacity development over the past years, with the need for human development being at the core of increasing environmental awareness and action. Women have thrived in this environment which is evident by the increasing number of civil society action groups caring for the earth, in almost all neighbourhoods these days, which are mostly lead by women.
Are there any women in conservation who inspire you?
They all do! Every one of them is drawn to our sector because they are passionate, want to make a difference, are willing to work long hours and sacrifice a lot personally, and care for the earth and all its inhabitants so yes, they ALL inspire me!
Do you have a female role model?
These change all the time as one learns from different people as you develop and events in your life require adaptation and growth. But I always admire my female friends that are entrepreneurs, who create jobs, who create beautiful things and change the lives of their employees and friends; who are selfless and caring and never falter; who are strong and compassionate and honest and flawed and always wonderful! They know who they are 😊
What advice would you give to young women of today?
Be willing to do anything that is required of you to make your first job really count. Don’t be stuck on what role you believe you should play and what your qualifications have prepared you to do. In today’s competitive market employers are looking for team members who are willing and able to dive in and do anything that is required and who add value to the organisation as a whole. If you add value, you will have a thriving career. Today I see too many young people asking what is in it for them, and this puts employers off. Post-COVID, we are also going to see the end of the silo employment position and the emergence of more circular, integrated roles that continually shift and form part of different teams. You must, therefore be willing to be flexible, and you must add value as a person before you can rely on your skills set alone. Other people have the same qualifications as you do so you need to offer a lot more than just your degree. In an interview, how about asking the employer what THEY need and how YOU can add value to them?
What has your time working with the EWT taught you?
Way too much to write here… I have worked in every role in the EWT – from volunteer to CEO, so every position has taught me different things. But from where I sit today I would say that I have learned to work with (and not hide) many female traits that I often used to think would work against me as a female leader in a very male-dominated sector (at the time). These traits include compassion, humility,; consultation, teamwork, the ability to lead from behind and not be ego-driven, being just as happy, if not more so, when your staff are in the limelight and get all the accolades, admitting when you are wrong, and owning up when you don’t have all the answers. I have surrounded myself with people who all know more than I do and my greatest lessons have come from working with them, listening to them, seeing things through their eyes, making them better at their jobs and serving them, and knowing that as their leader, that is my role.
Can you share a bit about what you do? What does a typical workday look like for you?
These days it’s 12 hours on a laptop, like everyone else I suppose. Under ‘normal’ conditions, I still spend a lot of time on emails and in meetings, writing documents and approving things like marketing and fundraising material, budgets, contracts etc. My role is mostly on corporate governance and strategic development, but I do get to interact with my conservation teams every day, which is good for my soul! I get into the field a few times a year, but it is never enough, but again, my role is to facilitate my staff getting to do the fieldwork as they are the experts. I come from a strong field and technical background, so I miss getting my hands dirty! I also spend a lot of time liaising with the media, our partners, stakeholders and supporters. I like to be creative, so I work closely with my fundraising and communications teams. I work closely with my Board of Trustees and am ultimately responsible for ensuring that our strategy is sound, meaningful, and implemented as planned. My role is to find the resources to get the work done, establish the partnerships that make us effective and empower the team to make the magic happen.
