Iowa Zoo Joins Alliance Demanding an End to Poaching

African elephant

It has been recently reported that the Blank Park Zoo of Iowa has joined forces with forty other zoos and wildlife programs in 36 countries to demand a more assertive battle against worldwide poaching. The shared statement, which was announced Friday, culminated from the international Zoos and Aquariums: Committing to Conservation conference at a facility in south Des Moines earlier this month. The representatives of the conference prompted all governments and international groups to initiate continuous campaigns to halt the illegal poaching of wildlife. This includes increased law enforcement with efficient and deliberate penalties for wildlife crimes, more collaboration between governments to battle cross-border activity, and programs to increase awareness among consumers about the illegal wildlife trade. The delegates also noted that big cats, birds, great apes, sharks and rays, turtles and other reptiles are among the animals suffering in the hands of poachers who sell them, adding that it is a coordinated multi-billion dollar business.

I'm very proud and happy to see that the Blank Park Zoo has joined forces with other zoos and similar wildlife organizations around the world in a battle against the ongoing poaching and illegal wildlife trade that has decimated and continues to decimate the wildlife. This zoo had earlier raised funds for conservation initiatives such as the Great Ape Trust and the International Snow Leopard Trust, each of which is aimed to protect and conserve a particular species of animals. This time, however, the zoo has taken a much bigger step to become part of a crusade aimed at urging governments for a halt in poaching of wild animals around the world. Recently, the U.S government announced that it would spend $10 million on conservation efforts to protect Africa's elephants and rhinos. I very much hope that governments in countries around the world, especially those which have been suffering from poaching and the illegal wildlife trade, will respond and act upon this message the coalition is sending out.

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Rajasthan Aims to Save the Great Indian Bustard and Reintroduce the Siberian Crane

Great Indian bustard

It has been recently reported that the state government of Rajasthan has announced a major plan to save its state bird: the great Indian bustard. The plan, which is titled "Project Great Indian Bustard", is focused towards the conservation of these critically endangered birds. The government declared an instantaneous release of Rs. 12.90 crore for the project, while more assets would be released every year. It has also constructed a "recovery plan for critically endangered species" under the integrated development of wildlife habitat for the conservation of the bustards. The proposal has been sent to the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment. And until the ministry gives an approval, the forest department would work for the operation of  Project Great Indian Bustard. Under this project, a task force would be established consisting of local public representatives and wildlife experts. The forest department has already built up enclosures in a 2500-hectare area at Ramdeora and Saunkhalia areas of Desert National Park in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer district. Forest and environment minister Bina Kak has called for lineup of two range officers and regular surveying of areas where the bustards are found. In addition to enclosure establishment, the forest department would also cultivate "inviolate space" on an area of 2000 hectares and concentrate on water spots and security infrastructure. In addition, extra vehicles would be given to the staff for monitoring to investigate poaching.

Siberian cranes

In another event, the forest department is going to bring back Siberian cranes in Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur district. The goal is to establish a semi-captive Siberian crane center for visitors to see the birds, which once congregated in large numbers during winter months. Nowadays, the cranes do not visit a single area in India. The plan has been postponed for the past year, but now has been sent to the National Wildlife Board for approval. According to the plan, six Siberian cranes will be reintroduced to Keoladeo Ghana National Park from Belgium and kept in semi-captive conditions for display in natural environments. A meeting for the abstract proposal and site selection was set up in February this year at the national park. It was decided that the cranes should be isolated for at least 45 days for which a quarantine facility in the park's nursery area would have to be established. It was announced that a facility of 100x100 feet and six feet high would be developed. The proposal has been given an approval by the state wildlife advisory board and sent to the National Wildlife Board for a final approval.

I'm extremely proud and happy that the state of Rajasthan has taken tremendous steps regarding the conservation of these two magnificent species of birds. The great Indian bustard has disappeared from more than ninety percent of its former range throughout India, due to threats ranging from poaching and habitat destruction to lack of protection of nesting sites, missing support from local communities, and lack of organization between forest departments in their habitats. Recent wildlife census figures recorded only 200 bustards in six states: Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan. Now, it appears that there seems to be a light of hope as the state of Rajasthan has proposed a plan to bring it from the brink of extinction. Similarly, the Siberian crane may be facing a similar future since it was last seen in 2001. I very much hope that the National Wildlife Board would approve of these two proposed projects intended on saving and conserving these two species of birds. It would be the only chance of hope for the people of Rajasthan and India to see these birds bounce back from extinction. Furthermore, I feel that this proposal to save the bustard should also be taken as an inspiration and a wake-up call by state governments in five other states above to conduct similar initiatives to further bolster the efforts to save the great Indian bustard after years of human-induced threats.

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Borivali Police Constables Receive Helpful Tips on Controlling Leopards

Police officers receive training from members of Sanjay Gandhi National Park's leopard rescue team

It has been recently reported that about a dozen police constables from the Kasturba police station in Mumbai's Borivali suburb received training in tackling a very unusual problem: leopards. The training was provided by volunteers from Sanjay Gandhi National Park and its leopard rescue team. Last year, twelve people were killed by leopards in Mumbai as a result of animals straying into the city and the death count over the past ten years stood at over a hundred. According to park officials, lives could have been saved had people been more careful. The leopard rescue team, which had earlier carried out similar training courses at police stations in Aarey and Dahisar colonies, stated that the police officers play a very crucial role in these situations since they are the first to reach the scene of the incident. When asked whether the police have the right to shoot a leopard to save people's lives, the forest officials answered that there was no need to kill the animal when other alternatives were available. The officials also warned the police officers not to set up traps for the leopards themselves, and recommended they wait for the experts. Field Director Sunil Limaye stated that if the police officers are trained and outfitted in tackling these situations, it would be a tremendous help in rescuing the leopard and saving people from attacks. Sadanand Date, Joint Commissioner of Police, expressed his gratitude to the training as "useful", and promised that the police will commit in "every possible way" to the bids to protect both the people and wildlife.

Leopard in Sanjay Gandhi National Park

I'm extremely proud to see what efforts are being undertaken in Mumbai, in order to protect both the general public and the wildlife. The city's area has been prone to attacks by leopards for several years, especially near Sanjay Gandhi National Park. In order to tackle this issue, the park's volunteers and leopard rescue team has conducted training sessions at various local police stations and educated their members on how to help out in the ongoing battle to prevent any fatal encounters between people and leopards. This is because whenever an attack occurs, police are usually first to show up at scene of the incident. The major factor during the aftermath of a leopard attack is the public reaction. This can be seen as people swarm in great numbers to either drive away or even kill the leopard suspected of being responsible for an attack on the spot. Sanjay Pagare, a senior member of the leopard rescue team, pointed out that an angry mob would also provoke an attack from a leopard in order to protect itself from its human enemies. He further added that a leopard can easily be rescued if crowds of people are not allowed to go near it. Therefore, police officers are the only means of keeping an angry mob at bay from the leopard.

Borivali skyline and Sanjay Gandhi National Park

One of the volunteers named Dipti Humraskar stated that one way to keep such crowds away is by establishing a temporary curfew under Section 144 of the Indian Penal Code. She provided a recent example in which a leopard strayed into a busy area in Dhule. The police, in response, called for a curfew until it was caught. As a result, many lives were saved. Another major problem within the peripheries of Sanjay Gandhi National Park is the poor distribution of garbage resulting from occupation by migrant workers arriving to help with the city's construction. This attracts stray dogs from all over Borivali, and they in turn draw leopards which see them as their primary food source. This is why I firmly believe it is also crucial to give priority in improvising the distribution of garbage to keep leopards from straying beyond the boundaries of the national park. One method is by developing and distributing special garbage cans and dumpsters similar to the ones used to keep bears from raiding people's garbage in North America. In addition, I also believe that this news should be taken as an inspiration for police officers in other parts of India where leopard and other animal attacks are rampant. By working alongside wildlife experts and forest officials, police officers can also lend their support in ensuring both people and wildlife live together in harmony.

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U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Greater Protection for Chimpanzees

Chimpanzees "fishing" for termites in Gombe National Park

It has been recently reported that the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing a rule that would provide chimpanzees with greater protection. The proposal pleased renowned primatologist and chimpanzee researcher Jane Goodall, who congratulated the service for the decision. She further added that this is also good news for all animal rights organizations, especially the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) who have worked very hard in advocating against the use of chimpanzees in circuses, films, television shows, and even testing. This proposed rule would change the current classifications that assume wild chimps as "endangered" and their captive counterparts as "threatened." This split classification enables the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to finance medical experiments conducted on captive chimps. The U.S is the only nation in the world that is known to carry out invasive medical research on chimpanzees. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) stated that over one million chimpanzees disappeared from the wild since the twentieth century, and indicated that about 300,000 remain in the wild. However, the capture of these primates and destruction of their habitat is further making those numbers to go down. The proposition is expected to be decided after being open to public commentary for two months, and happens in about one month after the NIH announced plans to "retire" about 360 government-owned chimpanzees from its research facilities. That step would leave approximately fifty chimps still in the organization's custody. In January, a working group for the NIH told the organization that it should put a stop to six of the nine invasive chimp studies it finances. These studies include searching for a contagious cause for primary biliary cirrhosis and tests on the immune system's response to diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

I'm extremely proud of the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service for proposing this rule in helping save lives of chimpanzees. These closest relatives of human beings have for generations been used for the purposes of "entertaining" the general public through circus performances, films, and television shows. The driving force behind the entertainment these primates provide is the harsh treatment they are subjected to from their trainers behind the camera. Furthermore, the chimps' attractive looks have made them a popular choice for buyers and sellers as exotic pets. However, as with any wild animal that is smuggled overseas as an exotic pet, the ultimate price to pay is the unpredictable behavior exhibited these primates that result in serious injury or even death of their so-called owners. This example was seen in the case of a chimpanzee named Travis, who gained notoriety for severly injuring his owner's friend in the state of Connecticut. The idea of bringing a chimpanzee or any other wild animal as a pet is deemed as inviting trouble to one's doorstep. It is an accident that is waiting to happen at any given moment.

With this proposed rule pending, the buyers and sellers who function the exotic pet trade would be restricted from transporting these primates across federal or state lines. I very much hope that this rule will be put into action for the sake of safety of both chimpanzees and humans. Both species are closely related to one another, but one species is adapted for life in the wild and not in an urban environment. I also hope that the Fish and Wildlife Service will also impose similar rules in an effort to save other wild animals that are victims to the exotic pet trade, and impose threat on human lives. These include big cats, bears, reptiles, wolves, other primate species and even marine animals such as dolphins and killer whales. They are highly unpredictable, which is their true nature, in spite of the entertainment they exhibit on public television and in circuses and amusement parks. Putting a halt to these animals from being smuggled overseas or from state to state is a key to saving their lives, along with the public.

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Kutch Bustard Sanctuary Adds 32 Square Kilometers

A pair of great Indian bustards near a field at Kutch's Naliya grasslands

It has been recently reported that the Kutch Bustard Sanctuary in the Indian state of Gujarat has added 32 square kilometers in a major push for conservation efforts conducted at the critically endangered great Indian bustard. The recent addition of land has been given to the state forest department in and around the Naliya grasslands through the "land bank" procedure and under the demands of the Forest Conservation Act. The Kutch Bustard Sanctuary currently exceeds over only two square kilometers, and efforts to make it grow bigger have been slow since much of the surrounding land is comprised of grazing fields, revenue wastelands, and private property. Earlier this year, these uninhabited lands near the sanctuary and at the grasslands' outer edge converted into agricultural fields. Even the 32-square kilometer areas of land that has recently been transferred to the forest department has undergone such transformation over many years in about a dozen installments. According to one official, the transferred areas will steadily be announced as protected areas and the forest department now has legal groundwork with which to preserve the land as habitat for the bustards.

I'm glad to know that the Kutch Bustard Sanctuary has acquired more areas of land as part of the effort to conserve the great Indian bustard. However, majority of the area beyond the borders of the sanctuary is comprised of agricultural land which has been slowing the process. As of now, there are still ongoing negotiations with the forest and revenue departments for more land transfers. I hope that the two sides will come to an agreement regarding the acquired number of areas for the bustards. This current transferred patch of land made up less than a third of area recognized as the bustards' core habitat, which covers more than ninety square kilometers. The great Indian bustard is a critically endangered species, whose habitat in recent times has degraded across India due to human-encroachment through agriculture and mining. As part of the effort to revive the species, the nation must acquire pieces of land to allow this magnificent bird to flourish without any form of disturbance by people.

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World Wildlife Fund Welcomes Kenya's New Anti-Poaching Amendment

An African bush elephant in Kenya

It has been recently reported that the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) has welcomed the Kenyan Parliament amendment in an effort to tackle poaching. The amendment will increase penalties for poaching of wildlife, especially elephants and rhinos, to up to fifteen years in prison and/or a fine of ten million shillings. This surge in 2,500 per cent on current fines means that crimes related to wildlife now have the same status and penalties as the Anti-Terrorism Crime Act, the Economic Crimes' Act, and the Organized Crime Act. According to WWF Regional Representative Niall O'Connor, this initiative would help in conserving the wildlife. He also noted that the amendment will see an increase in the number of game rangers to protect Kenya's wildlife. He further added that the WWF was willing to work with the government of Kenya to put a stop to the illegal wildlife trade that has been the biggest threat to the nation's growing economy.

Handicraft ivory item near elephant tusks at Port Klang, Malaysia

I'm very proud to see that Kenya has taken such an intensive move, in order to protect its wildlife from the ongoing threat of poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. However, in other parts of Africa, most notably in Central Africa and South Africa, poaching has been indiscriminately wiping out wild animals at an alarming rate. Among the animals that have been in the news are elephants and rhinos. Central Africa has become infamous for its poaching, which not only fetches millions of dollars but also funds rebel groups operating in the region. These groups include the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Janjaweed, whose members are infamous for conducting treacherous activities such as child-sex slavery, kidnapping, murder, mutilation, and military use of children. The ever-increasing threat of poaching in the region has forced several wildlife organizations to urge Central Africa's governments to adopt a zero-tolerance policy on poaching. But it seems the rebels have taken full control of Central Africa in a sense that governments have little or no chance in dismantling these rebel groups, and indicting their members on numerous crimes against humanity and wildlife. Furthermore, South Africa has and continues to be a major hub for illegal poaching activities carried out by criminal syndicates with access to sophisticated hi-tech equipment that overwhelms game rangers in the battle to end the poaching crisis. I feel that Kenya should also take a step further in aiding South Africa, Central African countries, and other African countries where poaching is rife. This would really help in stemming and ultimately cease the threat of poaching in Africa as a whole.

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Elephant Poaching on the Rise After the Overthrow of Central African Republic's Government

A forest elephant in Central African Republic's Dzangha-Sangha Special Reserve

The Central African Republic has been in the news in recent times due to increased hostilities between the government and rebels, which has resulted in the overthrow of the nation's president Francois Bozize and the federal government. But this significant event has also led to another catastrophe: surge in elephant poaching. Conservationists stated that the rebels, who were responsible for bringing down the government, are also believed to be involved in poaching. One of the primary hotspots of poaching activities is the Dzanga-Sangha Special Reserve, which has been home to more than 3,400 elephants. The overthrow of the government has allowed poachers to further carry out their slaughter. Bas Huijbregts, head of policy for WWF's campaign against poaching in Central Africa, stated that elephant meat is being sold in the town of Bayanga near the reserve and other surrounding villages. The local residents further added that at least forty elephants had been killed in Dzangha-Sangha since the rebels took control on March 24. However, the World Wildlife Fund stated that it was impossible to estimate the numbers of animals killed since no patrols had been going into the jungles to determine the exact figures.

Rebels in Central African Republic are believed to be involved in the poaching of elephants in the country.

This article is a clear representation about the side effects caused during the aftermath of the overthrow of a federal government. In the case of Central African Republic, one of those side effects has been an increase in poaching. Because there is no government to oversee the country, it is possible for criminals of all sorts, including poachers, to carry out their evil deeds. It has been said that ever since the rebels toppled Central African Republic's government, their leader, Michel Djotodia, has taken over to lead a transitional government. However, critics have stated that he has little control over his followers who have been blamed for continuous looting of hospitals and aid groups in the nation's capital of Bangui. In addition, the rebels have also been said to have looted the offices of WWF staff in the Dzanga-Sangha Reserve and even formed alliances with poachers from Sudan. This has truly, along with targeting innocent civilians, has made them a force to be reckoned with. I feel that Central African Republic is in a dire need of help regarding lives of its people and wildlife. The nation is now being overrun by not just any poachers, but also cruel and bloodthirsty cutthroats who have no regard for human or animal life. Immediate action must be taken to help bring down the rebels conducting their activities in and around Dzanga-Sangha Reserve, as well as in other parts of Central African Republic. In addition, a new government must also be established to replace the current existing one that has put millions of lives at stake.

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