Scimitar-horned Oryx Returned From the Brink of Extinction

A pair of scimitar-horned oryx

The oryx, with its striking and seemingly handsome looks, is one of the most charismatic animals in the world. Its bold facial markings and a pair of long sweeping horns give it an almost mythological appearance. The horns are so parallel to each other that when viewed sideways, the animal appears as though it has only one. This description has associated the oryx with the unicorn. Unfortunately, the oryx's stunning appearance has also made it a target for hunters and poachers, and no species bore more brunt than the scimitar-horned oryx. Named for its long sweeping horns reminiscent of actual swords used by Islamic warriors of bygone days, the scimitar-horned oryx had suffered tremendously in the hands of humans for decades with factors ranging from hunting and poaching to habitat degredation in its Sahara homeland. It is also said that political instability and civil war in Chad contributed to its downfall. The combination of various anthropogenic factors resulted in the extirpation of the scimitar-horned oryx throughout North Africa, with only surviving populations residing in zoos, private menageries, and captive-breeding facilities. There were even fenced-in herds residing in a handful of protected areas in North Africa. Due to the abundance of captive populations and lack of data in the form of sightings in the wild, the scimitar-horned oryx had been declared "Extinct in the Wild" by the IUCN since 2000.

Scimiter-horned oryx being released in the wilds of Chad.

However, there were ongoing conservation efforts to revive this species in the wild. These efforts comprised of breeding programs designed to increase the numbers of these antelopes in captivity and reintroduce them in their former haunts. They were carried out through joint collaborations between zoos, conservation groups, government agencies, and other key partners. One of the key success stories occurred in 2016 when a group of 25 oryxes were released in Chad's Ouadi Rime-Ouadi Achim Game Reserve as part of an operation led by the country's Ministry of Environment and Fisheries, the Sahara Conservation Fund (SCF), and Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD). That same herd produced a calf the following year marking the first wild birth for more than two decades. From then on, more oryxes were being reintroduced into the reserve and in 2021, sixty calves were born increasing the number to 400 animals. Recently, it has been reported that 510 calves have been born in the wild thanks to a breeding scheme by EAD and the Zoological Society of London (ZSL). Not only has this renewed hope for the oryx's future, but it also changed its status from "Extinct in the Wild" to "Endangered."

A mother scimitar-horned oryx and calf.

I cannot think of any greater news than the scimitar-horned oryx being downlisted to "Endangered" from "Extinct in the Wild." This is truly a result of several years of joint collaboration between partners in conservation and politics to save a species from the brink of extinction. What struck me is that prior to this recent achievement, scientists from the ZSL published a research study in the journal Science which asserted that conservation zoos had the potential to alter the extinction of some animals. The research was the first to comprehensively analyze the 95 Extinct in the Wild animals and plants that have survived due to consistant human care since 1950. One of those animals is the scimitar-horned oryx. This magnificent antelope has become the second member of its species after its Arabian counterpart to make a remarkable comeback into the wilds of its arid North African haven. I very much hope that more efforts will be implemented to identify potential protected areas outside of Chad for the scimitar-horned oryx where it once thrived before disappearing. These include Sudan, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Senegal, Western Sahara, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt. I also hope that because some of these countries are rife with political instability and terrorism-related activities, considerate and effective actions will be taken to ensure that reintroduction efforts are carried out successfully and that the animals are fully protected. The scimitar-horned oryx shared its North African homeland with two other antelopes, the addax and the dama gazelle; both of which are critically endangered and kept in zoos and captive breeding facilities outside Africa. All three of these antelopes play an integral part in maintaining the North African landscape by grazing and browsing, which prevents desertification. Therefore, their reintroductions are crucial nature-based solutions in helping tackle local impacts of climate change.    

New Hope for Wolverines

A wolverine captured on camera in Tahoe National Forest near Truckee, California on Feb 27, 2016.

The wolverine is a creature that personifies the harsh ruggedness of the frozen north. For centuries, it has garnered a fearsome, yet hated reputation among local human populations sharing its Arctic and sub-Arctic homeland. Universally regarded as vermin by fur trappers, it was indiscriminately shot on sight due to its habit of eating animals caught in traps during winter and fouling its human competitors' cabins with its strong scent. Please read below at the end of this article for more inforamtion on this remarkable animal. 

The relentless persecution geared by uncontrolled trapping and poisoning campaigns decimated the wolverine population across most of the U.S by the early 20th century. Approximately 300 survive living in remote, fragmented groups at high elevations in the northern Rocky Mountains. Now, the wolverine faces a threat of completely different magnitude: climate change. This is seen as scientists warn of rising temperatures anticipated to reduce mountain snowpacks which wolverines depend on to make shelter to raise their young in coming decades. 

In response to the scientists' warning, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service proposed giving threatened species protections which had been delayed due to more than twenty years of arguments over the risks of climate change and threats to the continuing survival of the wolverines. Officials wrote in the proposal that protections under the Endangered Species Act were required "due primarily to the ongoing and increasing impacts of climate change and associated habitat degradation and fragmentation."

I'm glad to hear that the federal government has recognized the threats various wild animals such as wolverines are facing due to climate change and decided to ensure full protection. Ever since the U.S came under the presidency of Donald Trump, little to no attention had been paid to the findings made by scientists and researchers on the impact of climate change on the wildlife. It should be understood that research and studies about climate change should be taken into serious consideration and acknowledgement irrespective of what political party is in power. There is no room for politics when it comes to science and research, especially with climate change and various environmental issues linked to it. I very much hope that strong and efficient measurements will be implemented in protecting the wolverines on the long run. This includes conducting awareness campaigns geared at educating the public about wolverines, how climate change affects them, and what can the public do to save them. I also think outlawing of winter recreational activities such as backcountry skiing and snowmobiling in areas rife with wolverine activity is essential. In addition, legal trapping is also something that needs to be looked into especially when there is an incident of a wolverine accidentally caught in a trap laid out to catch an unthreatened species. 

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Some general infomation on wolverines: The wolverine, although a member of the weasel family, is powerful enough to command respect from other animals it shares its habitat with. Its size makes it capable of bringing down prey up to the size of a deer, making it an apex predator alongside wolves, bears, and wildcats. Incredibly, despite its relatively small size, the wolverine's fearless tenacity combined with brute strength, bone-crunching jaws, a thick hide, and an arsenal of strong-smelling stink glands, allows it to stand up against its stronger adversaries - often to the point of forcing them to abandon their kills. This ferocious nature has earned the wolverine a bad rap from its bipedal counterparts garnering it several nicknames like the devil bear, skunk bear, hyena of the north, and in Inuit language Kee-wa-har-kess or "the evil one." Perhaps the most popular moniker it was given is "glutton" due to the belief that it kills more than it eats. In reality, the wolverine is far from the verminous beast that plagued the imaginations of hunters and trappers from past centuries. It is a keystone species that plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance in the extreme north, and its "gluttonous" behavior is attributed to filling itself voraciously on carrion in winter and burying extra food to be eaten later.    

Poachers Turned Protectors- A Tale of Two Odia Men

Raghupati Dharua (left) and Satyaban Sahu (right)

Illegal poaching is an ongoing issue all over the world. Whenever there is a poaching incident, the investigation involves authorities following clues and other crucial information which would lead them to the culprits. Once apprehended, the culprits are usually convicted and sentenced to considerable jailtime. But what happens when the culprits are released after serving time? Do they resort again to their illegal activities and the process is repeated all over again? Or do they find an alternative which steers them away from a life of crime? One such case was seen with two men named Raghupati Dharua and Satyaban Sahu from the state of Odisha in India. For thirty years, they were infamous poachers and labeled as "most-wanted" in both police and forest departments. But now, these men have renounced their life of crime by working as informants and assisting the forest department combat poaching and capture the perpetrators in Odisha's Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary. In their own words, the men wanted to give up poaching because their respective children are growing up and they did not want the younger generation to live in disgrace. Due to their familiarity with the dense forest and difficult terrain, the duo gave information on snares poachers lay out to catch or kill animals. One of the officials who is grateful for their help in protecting the sanctuary and its wild inhabitants is Anshu Pragyan Das, a divisional forest officer of the Hirakud wildlife division. In addition to being informants, Dharua and Sahu have other jobs in the sanctuary. For example, Sahu mans a gate at Zero Point of the sanctuary. Dharua, on the other hand, is a carpenter in the sanctuary's ecotourism facilities and also plumbing and electrical repairs.

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary

I cannot think of any better way to improvise the fight against poaching than recruiting former poachers in assisting wildlife officials in protecting the world's wild places and wildlife. This would be an alternative to the life of crime for them and provide a second chance. Furthermore, ex-poachers have an intimate knowledge of the inner workings in poaching gangs which would be beneficial for authorities in apprehending the gangs' active members and accumulate enough evidence to convict them of their crimes. It goes to show that it takes a thief to catch a thief. Raghupati Dharua and Satyaban Sahu are ideal examples of individuals who once used to make a living poaching wildlife, but decided to give up that lifestyle and turned over a leaf to assist in the battle against poaching. Each one of them had a rough past. Sahu, who hails from the village of Khajuria in the foothills of Debrigarh, dropped out of primary school and made a living grazing livestock before taking up poaching at 17 after his mother passed away. He was involved in a notorious tiger hunting case in 2018 for which he was sentenced to nine months imprisonment. He was arrested again in 2020 after being caught with a leopard skin. Since then, he turned his life around and is now working with the forest department earning Rs. 12,000 per month. He has even been involved in ecotourism activities. I really think that Sahu and Dharua should be seen as role models to various people living in the vicinities of protected areas in India and other tropical places. Their stories and experiences should be taken as life lessons by people who are either actively involved in any type of wildlife crime or even thinking of resorting to these types of illegal activities. I also believe that in countries where poaching is rife in protected areas, there should be special programs geared at people living in the margins of societies providing them jobs in working with wildlife and law enforcement officials in combating various wildlife crimes. It would very much help, especially when there are individuals who are knowledgeable in how poaching gangs and other wildlife crime syndicates function.          

Bangladesh's Sundarbans Tiger Conservation Success Story

A tiger in the Sundarbans.

Five years ago, the decline of tiger population in the Sundarbans mangrove forest caused a great deal of concern to the conservation community of Bangladesh. However, in recent times, the forests are signs of recovery of the species. This positive turn of events is an outcome of a series of committed efforts initiated by the government of Bangladesh and several stakeholders showing promising results, renewing hope for the survival and growth of tigers. The main strategies used in this joint conservation campaign have focused around conserving the tigers' habitat, dealing with prey scarcity issues, and tackling poaching through a concerted community-based approach. These actions have not only helped tigers but also the whole Sundarbans ecosystem. The latest surveys carried out simultaneously by the government's forest division, German Cooperation, and the Swiss unit of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) revealed two very important discoveries. The surveys have noticed a reassuring increase in populations of prey species such as chital (spotted deer), wild boars, and monkeys in the Sundarbans. In addition, the surveys also hinted that the forest may now be containing a higher number of tigers due to successful habitat conservation measurements.

Spotted deer herd in the Sundarbans.

One of the surveys titled "Status of Tiger Prey Species in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh" highlighted the importance of six prey species for tigers. It indicated that even though the number of barking deer has decreased, the populations of spotted deer, wild boars, and monkeys have increased in number over the past thirty years. The number of spotted deer, which comprises 79 percent of the tigers' prey consumption, was 1,41,357. The last census recorded the population to be 80,000-85,000 in the 1980s. Wild boars, which contribute about 11 percent of prey consumption, were found to have increased to 45,110 from around 28,000. According to M.A. Aziz, professor in Jahangirnagar University's zoology department and one of the researchers involved in the study, the result of the survey would mean that crucial measures can be taken for the conservation of tiger prey species. He further stressed that prey species need to be protected from poachers.

A tiger in its mangrove forest habitat.

Another survey, a four-month camera trapping study stretching 1,615 miles in the forest's western zone, is being carried out by the forest department. 1,330 cameras were set up to record tigers and their prey in the mangroves. The census currently shows that at least 53 percent of the cameras revealed the tigers' movement, garnering hope and optimism about the increased numbers. Some of the images were of tigers in places where they had not been recorded in the last two censuses. The survey is scheduled to be completed in April 2024, and the number of tigers recorded will be annouced on July 29. According to Sundarban West Division Forest officer Abu Naser Mohsin Hussain, tiger numbers may increase since the government took various measures over the years to protect them. One of them was increasing the amount of protected areas, in which the government proclaimed 52 percent of the Sundarbans as protected areas in 2020 from only 23 percent earlier. In addition, the government has also focused on curbing human-tiger conflict. Mohsin stated that there has not been a single human-tiger conflict in the last five years.

View of the Sundarbans

I truly admire the efforts Bangladesh has put in ensuring the protection of tigers in the Sundarbans. It's amazing to see the roles played by both the government and various stakeholders which resulted in promising outcomes for both the tigers and other wildlife. One of the things that struck me was that there was no reported incident of human-tiger conflict in the Sundarbans in the last five years. This is really extraordinary since human-tiger conflict has been one of the main issues in the Sundarbans for decades. An implementation of 49 village tiger response teams whose job is to protect any tiger that strays into a locality and help the villagers must have contributed to the mitigation of human-tiger conflict. But this probably had occurred on the Bangladeshi side of the Sundarbans. Could it be possible that majority of human-tiger conflicts are currently occurring on the Indian side of the Sundarbans? I think this is something that should be looked into thoroughly in order to get a better understanding of the overall Sundarbans' human-tiger conflict situation. I was also surprised to hear that the Sundarbans were terrorized by pirate gangs some years ago; a situation which has quelled since 2018. It's interesting to see that dangers in the Sundarbans not only come in the form of tigers or anything nature-related, but at one point in the form of human beings. The alleviation of Sundarbans' pirate situation in the forest also helped in tiger conservation by allowing the big cats to stay undisturbed guaranteeing an ideal breeding environment. While there has since been no threat of piracy, I think there should be measurements implemented to ensure it stays that way. This includes patrolling of Sundarbans' waters by both India's and Bangladesh's coast guards. In addition, a joint collaboration between both the countries' governments and stakeholders should be implemented in protecting the Sundarbans' wildlife and villagers. This would further improvise the conservation of tigers and other wildlife in Bangladesh and India.

Joint Collaboration Essential in Hong Kong's Battle Against the Illegal Wildlife Trade

A giant Asian pond turtle at an Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department press conference.

In Hong Kong, the illegal wildlife trade is thriving despite the implementation of stricter laws targeted at stopping syndicates from making millions of dollars off of endangered species. According to Amanda Whitfort, a lawyer for the environmental group ADM Capital Foundation, a law known as the Organized and Serious Crime Ordinance was revised two years ago to deal with certain crimes related to wildlife trafficking. The amendment, which was praised as "historic" and "landmark" at the time, enables authorities to secure court orders to obtain documents essential to their investigations that they would otherwise not be able to acquire. It also allowed judges to seize the profits of wildlife crimes and administer harsher punishments. However, the changes have so far proven useless. Whitford further added that law enforcement officers claim there is no evidence proof of organized crime inspite of the extremely large seizures. In 2020 and 2021, more than 676 tonnes of endangered species estimated to be worth more than HK$221 million were seized by customs. Confiscations included 26 tonnes of smuggled dried shark fins in April and May 2020 and 4.12 tonnes of red sandalwood in January 2022. In July, authorities seized a shipment of about sixty pieces of hippopotamus ivory and approximately 3,300 live tortoises, among other things, worth HK$2 million. According to Dr. Astrid Andersson, a wildlife forensics expert from University of Hong Kong, for a relatively small space, the city confiscated huge volumes of endangered animals and their body parts.

Amanda Whitford

 The ADM Capital Foundation said it discovered that authorities had failed to use their new jurisdictions in a meeting with the Customs and Excise Department in February. Whitford, on the other hand, indicated that the situation was brought to her a month later during a meeting of the government's interdepartmental task force on wildlife crime. This task force is comprised of customs, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD), Environment Bureau, and the police. When called for comment, customs and the AFCD cut short of revealing whether the ordinance had ever been enforced in its wildlife smuggling cases, while the police refused to comment. A closer investigation of the ordinance disclosed that only customs or the police have the authority enforce it, not the AFCD. It is known that after customs make confiscations at the borders, the case is given within a day or two to the AFCD, which handles wildlife. This leaves the customs and police unable to investigate the cases.

Staff at a pet shop in Prince Edward.

I very much feel that there should be a strong collaboration between the customs, police, and the AFCD in the battle to curb the illegal wildlife trade in Hong Kong. With the amendment of the Organized and Serious Crime Ordinance in 2021, it looked like there was going to be a game changer but it seems that neither the customs nor the police are doing their part in investigating the cases involving seizures of endangered species in Hong Kong. Despite having the authority to enforce the ordinance, the customs and the police simply hand over the case to the AFCD after confiscating such illegal contraband. This is simply not the way to combat the illegal wildlife trade. Members of customs, police, and AFCD should investigate such cases together in order to identify key figures in wildlife smuggling rings and come up with solutions in prosecuting such figures. Head of protection of endangered species at WWF-Hong Kong Brian Gonzales proposed the task force should establish specially designed units committed to particular cases. He further added that this would allow the task to delve into the money trails through the ordinance so that the government of Hong Kong could make use of its anti-money laundering jurisdictions against wildlife crimes. Dr. Andersson stated that she and other scientists are developing and providing tools for the police such as a rapid test that verifies the species of shark fins within a few hours. However, she also argued that boosting enforcement is essential. I strongly think that suggestions from these two people should be taken into consideration in improvising Hong Kong's battle against the illegal wildlife trade. It is highly essential that a joint collaboration between the authorities and wildlife and conservation experts is needed.   

Bears and Humans- Understanding the Scarcity of Acorns and Preventing Deadly Encounters in Japan

 

Ussuri brown bear

Bear attacks have become increasingly common in regions where bears coexist with humans. Similar to other animal attacks, these incidents are primarily caused by human-related factors that influence the interactions between bears and people. Japan has witnessed a surge in bear attacks, particularly in Akita and Iwate Prefectures. For instance, in a recent incident, a 75-year-old woman in Hachimantai city lost her life after being attacked by a bear while mushroom picking with her husband in a nearby mountainous area. Her husband, who attempted to protect her, also sustained injuries to his head and hand and was hospitalized in Morioka city. On the same day, five individuals, including a 16-year-old girl, were attacked in Kitaakita city. An 83-year-old person suffered a broken arm and shoulder in the attack. Additionally, earlier this month, an Asian black bear attacked four elderly citizens in a residential area of Akita. The number of bear attacks in Akita Prefecture reached 39 from April to October 11, marking the highest since 1979 when records began. Furthermore, the number of bear sightings reached 1,785 as of October 9, the highest since 2009. Iwate Prefecture also reported an increase in such incidents, with 34 people attacked from April to October 12, resulting in one fatality. To address the situation, local authorities have been distributing leaflets advising people to exercise caution while outdoors. According to Shinsuke Koike, an ecology professor at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, the scarcity of acorns is driving bears to search for food in unfamiliar areas. Bears are attracted to compost waste, chestnuts, and persimmons, emphasizing the importance of locals not leaving fruits and nuts unharvested in fields or trash, which can draw bears into populated areas.

An Ussuri brown bear captured on trail camera in Kazuno.

I strongly believe that urgent measures are necessary to prevent deadly encounters between bears and humans in Akita and Iwate Prefectures. These actions should include proper disposal of trash in bear-proof containers and carrying bear spray while hiking. However, I personally consider investigating the scarcity of acorns to be the most crucial approach. Understanding the reasons behind this scarcity is vital in comprehending why bears venture into residential areas in search of food, especially during this time of year when they need to stock up for winter hibernation. When their natural food sources decline, bears are forced to seek nourishment elsewhere, often leading them into human habitats and resulting in tragic, fatal encounters. A poignant example of this is the Sankebetsu Brown Bear Incident that occurred over a century ago in Hokkaido, Japan. This incident, involving an Ussuri brown bear, claimed seven lives and injured three others. It was a consequence of human-induced factors such as deforestation and the depletion of the bear's natural diet. I believe this historical event should serve as a valuable lesson for local residents, particularly those living near bears, regarding the reasons behind bear attacks and the factors driving their dangerous behavior. Moreover, it should guide researchers and wildlife officials in their efforts to mitigate human-bear conflicts and deepen their understanding of bear behavior. Therefore, it is imperative to investigate the scarcity of natural foods like acorns that are essential to bears' diets.

Nepal's Wildlife Crime Investigators Facing Hurdles that Need Addressing

A poached rhino in Chitwan National Park

Nepal is renowned for its biodiversity, due to its variety of different habitats from snow-covered mountains to lush evergreen forests and grasslands. These habitats support a rich variety of wildlife. However, the diversity has attracted the threat of poaching and wildlife smuggling. Despite the efforts to curb poaching and ensure protection of the country's endangered species, several frontline wildlife crime investigators face challenges such as lack of proper training in forensic investigations and legal agendas. According to Hemanta Malla Thakuri, a former deputy inspector general for the Nepal Police who began training the investigators last year, the way they operated was similar to the police almost forty years ago. These investigators are local officers from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), who are based at various protected areas across Nepal and are entitled to investigate wildlife crimes (and in some cases give verdicts) inside the areas and neighboring buffer zones. Then there are investigators from provincial divisional forest offices, who investigate crimes that occur outside the protected areas and buffer zones.

Confiscated wool of the Tibetan antelope

Many of these investigators are generally forestry graduates lacking training in legal issues. One of those investigators is Salina Kadal, an assistant forest officer at the Bhaktapur division, who pointed out that she and other students were only taught the theoretical aspects of conservation law and once they joined the government service, they were directly authorized to work as investigation officers. She further added that there are times when the officers would destroy the evidence at the crime scene since they do not know how to keep it safe. Karuna Karki, who is stationed at the Nawalpur division, indicated that another challenge for the officers is that investigations come along with administrative work that they have to do. She also added that local officials and politicians try to influence the result of investigations.

View of Kathmandu Valley in Bhaktapur district

Before the proclamation of Nepal's current constitution, in 2015, forest offices and offices in protected areas were entitled to investigate as well as give verdicts in all wildlife crime cases. Now, they can only pass verdicts in cases that only carry a sentence of less than one year while more serious cases should be tried in district courts. Kadal, who has worked on cases both before and after the 2015 change, indicated that guaranteeing a conviction is far more difficult in court than in the forest office. In addition, it is easier to produce missing evidence as expected by the semijudicial forestry officer since the hearing takes place in the same office. However, the judge is not that flexible. Kadal further added that the government of Nepal does not manage an updated database of wildlife crimes and convicts. Not only does this make it more hard for investigative officers across the country to work together on related cases, but also repeat offenders who should face stiffer sentences for their crimes get off with more lenient punishment required for first-time offenders. Despite these drawbacks, the investigative officers are undeterred and are doing their best to ensure convictions. Several governmental and nongovernmental organizations are also working to address the challenges faced by Nepal's wildlife crime investigators. The National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC) recently carried out a progressive wildlife crime scene procedure for 24 frontline investigators, with funding from the U.S State Department.

Chitwan National Park

I strongly feel that the challenges wildlife crime investigators in Nepal are facing should be given full attention to. Despite their dedication to protect Nepal's wildlife from various crimes, they are presented with hurdles which need serious addressing. For example, many of them are only taught theoretical aspects of conservation law and never received proper training before joining the government service. This includes how to properly safeguard crime scene evidence, instead of destroying it. Otherwise, how would it help in prosecuting the perpetrators for the crimes they committed? Furthermore, when politicians influence the outcome of investigations, it can have frustrating consequences like repeat offenders being granted leniency. This allows them to further commit crimes in Nepal's wild places. In addition, the government does not maintain an updated database of such crimes and convicts. It is highly essential to address these issues and take steps in improvising Nepal's fight against wildlife crimes.

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